1929 Dupont tragedy
Funeral of four reveals connections to LCN
In October 1929, four men, two fathers and two sons, all from Dunmore, were killed when their car tragically collided with a train in Dupont, East of Pittston. Whilst the victims are not known LCN members, the funeral that followed was both significant in terms of local history, and that it did include many members (or future members) of the Pittston LCN Family.
The two elder men were mining contractors, well-known throughout the local area, the two young men, their sons. They were simply travelling to work.
The funeral described in one newspaper as, “one of the most pathetic burial services ever witnessed in this section,” involved more than 2000 people and a procession of more than 150 cars. A 40-piece band was said to be able to do nothing to drown out the cries of the mourners. Over 100 members of local Italian-American societies from Pittston and Dunmore carried the floral pieces, including LCN member Sam Insalaco.
Of the 36 bearers, many have recognisable names involved in the local LCN. A newspaper report stated, the 36 men were “in [the] charge of Santo Volpe.”
Victims and Pallbearers:
1.Charles Congelleri (Calogero Cancellieri), b.1882, San Cataldo, Caltanisetta
Honorary Bearers included:
- Angelo Polizzi, b. 1899, San Cataldo, Pittston Family member
- Frank Mele (Meli) Highly probable to be the Frank Meli who later became a Detroit LCN member. He immigrated in 1911, destined for Dunmore and as per a 1940 census document, was living in Scranton as of 1935. Parents were from Canigatti, Agrigento and San Cataldo, Caltanissetta. Frank’s daughter would marry William ‘Bill’ Bufalino in 1945.
Active bearers included:
- Santo Volpe, b.1880, Montedoro, Pittston Family Boss
- Charles Bufalino. Hard to determine identity of this particular Charles Bufalino
- John Parrino, b. 1895, Palazzo Adriano, Pittston Family member
- Frank Parrino, b. c1871, Palazzo Adriano, Pittston Family member
2.Francesco Geraci, b.1883, San Cataldo, Caltanisetta
Honarary bearers:
Anthony Alongi, b. c1888, Siculiana, Agrigento
(The next two names are the only ones in newspaper reports that have just an initial, rather than a first name, followed by a last name. This could be due to them being from out of the local area).
- S. Monachino, presumably the same person who was a bearer at Anthony Alongi’s funeral.
I suspect this to be the Auburn-based LCN member, Saverio “Sam” Monachino, b. 1892, Realmonte. There was another Saverio Monachino (1871-1946) living in Pittston at this time (also from Realmonte), but he seems to have no connection to any LCN figures. As of 1930, his occupation was a Janitor and his address was far from the heavily-congested LCN area in Pittston. Furthermore, when this Monachino died, the majority of his funeral bearers were non-Italians.
- I. Cassaro. Highly probable to be Ignazio Cassaro, b. 1882, Comitini, Agrigento, another pallbearer for Anthony Alongi.
As of 1918, Ignazio Cassaro was residing in Pittston, working as a miner. An Ignatz and Carmello Cassaro were arrested on suspicion of murder in 1922, before being released. By 1928 he still appears to be living in Pittston by way of a passenger listing. When his brother James died in 1935, the bearers included Pittston LCN members Sam Galante, John Sciandra and John and Angelo Parrino. In 1936, now living in Auburn, Ignazio was arrested for being in possession of untaxed alcohol. After serving 30 days, he was released due to being unable to pay the fine. In the years of 1947 and 1955, Ignazio sold land to LCN member Saverio Monachino of Auburn.
- Cologero Bufalino, b.1878, Montedoro, Pittson member
Active bearers:
- Joseph Contissa (Contessa) b. 1893, Cianciana, Agrigento, Pittston Family member
- John Sciandra, b. 1899, Montedoro, Pittston Family member (future Boss)
3.Michael Congelleri (Cancellieri), b. c1907, son of Calogero
Pallbearers:
- Salvatore Galanti. Possibly Salvatore “Sam” Galante, b. 1906, Bompensiere, Caltanisetta, Pittston Family member (difficult to determine due to commonality of name)
4.Christopher Geraci, b. 1911, San Cataldo, Caltanisetta, son of Francesco
- No one of interest.
The above list of funeral pallbearers doesn’t suggest the dead were LCN but shows at the very least how LCN members were woven into the fabric of the local community and were men who had high status, were well respected and were friends of many.
The fact the victims were of the local mining industry as were so many of the local LCN family could mean they were simply good friends.
NB. – any mention of ‘LCN member’ should be read as ‘member/future member’.