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Mob boss Vito Rizzuto laid to rest
QMI AGENCY ^ | DECEMBER 30, 2013 | Brian Daly

Posted on 12/30/2013 3:10:27 PM PST by rickmichaels

MONTREAL — For the third time in just over four years, the main Italian Catholic church in Montreal hosted a funeral for Canada's reputed first family of Mafia power.

A cortege of 11 limousines followed a hearse carrying the body of Vito Rizzuto, the multilingual don who ran an international crime syndicate that frustrated Canadian law enforcement for decades.

The 67-year-old Sicilian-born Montrealer died of complications from lung cancer a week earlier.

About 100 people attended Monday's funeral, mainly close relatives of the don. None of them spoke to reporters.

It was a far cry from the big crowds that attended the family's funeral home for a viewing on Sunday, which featured Vito's childhood friend and potential successor, Rocco Sollecito, as well as a stunning array of floral arrangements.

The cornucopia of flowers was also on display at the funeral. From the back of one limousine hung a set of flowers that formed the word "Nonno," which means "grandpa" in Italian.

Another bouquet sported a ribbon that read "Farewell, my Friend."

Rizzuto's wife Giovanna Cammalleri, his mother Libertina Manno, and his surviving children Leonardo and Bettina were among two dozen family members who emerged from the line of limousines in front of the red-brick building.

The same church, built by Italian immigrants in 1919, was the scene of funerals for Rizzuto's son Nick Jr. in 2009 and father Nick Sr. in 2010. Assassins gunned down both men while Vito was in a U.S. prison.

One young relative exploded in anger at the journalists on the sidewalk and punched a TV camera that struck a cameraman in the face.

Other mourners were more discreet, hustling in a side door of the ornate church, away from the cameras.

Six elderly and middle-aged men then carried Rizzuto's bronze coffin, adorned with gold, into the building. Private security guards prevented two reporters from entering the service, which lasted 45 minutes.

Nicknamed "Montreal's Teflon don" for his ability to avoid incarceration, Vito Rizzuto was finally nabbed by U.S. law enforcement for his role in a 1981 Mob triple murder.

He spent six years in prison south of the border, giving rivals a chance to kill several of his family members and associates in a takeover bid.

The crime boss returned to Canada in October 2012 and the bodies soon started piling up.

At least six rivals were shot dead and one was poisoned with cyanide.

By the time he died, experts believed Rizzuto had regained control of the underworld.

Law enforcement will be busy during the ongoing period of uncertainty that Rizzuto's death created.

Police kept a discreet distance from the church during Monday's funeral, but marked cruisers could be seen on nearby side streets and in alleyways.

QMI Agency crime analyst Francois Dore, a former Quebec provincial police officer, said Rizzuto's funeral was a police operation.

"They take the opportunity to update their photo albums, their information, who is hanging around with who," he said.

Following the funeral, Rizzuto's body was driven to the family mausoleum in east-end Montreal and laid to rest alongside those of his father and son.



TOPICS: Canada; Crime/Corruption
KEYWORDS: baddabing; canadamob; mafia; mob; rih; rizutto; vitorizzuto
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1 posted on 12/30/2013 3:10:27 PM PST by rickmichaels
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To: rickmichaels

Did his son have sit down with the rest of crime families settle the Family business ala Godfather 1 ending


2 posted on 12/30/2013 3:11:39 PM PST by SevenofNine (We are Freepers, all your media bases belong to us ,resistance is futile)
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To: rickmichaels

Doubtful that he’s going to get any rest.

I bet nearly 100% of all former mafia will be roasting in Hell.

Deathbed conversions being the exception.


3 posted on 12/30/2013 3:12:24 PM PST by PATRIOT1876
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To: rickmichaels

For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? Mark 8:36


4 posted on 12/30/2013 3:19:36 PM PST by exit82 ("The Taliban is on the inside of the building" E. Nordstrom 10-10-12)
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To: rickmichaels

I wonder if Nadia G catered the repast.


5 posted on 12/30/2013 3:20:53 PM PST by Oratam
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To: rickmichaels

Oh look - the Catholic church game him a funeral.

And they wonder why people think the church is a joke.


6 posted on 12/30/2013 3:26:40 PM PST by 2banana (My common ground with terrorists - they want to die for islam and we want to kill them)
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To: 2banana

bump

but he was saved as a child and once saved always saved, they say. So what are a few bodies and a lifetime of crimes like pimping in between?

//sarcasm


7 posted on 12/30/2013 3:27:53 PM PST by GeronL (Extra Large Cheesy Over-Stuffed Hobbit)
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To: rickmichaels
There’s a cemetery within a mile of me here in Queens NY where some of the most infamous mobsters of all time are buried: St John Cemetery

Salvatore D’Aquila (1878–1928)
Salvatore Maranzano (1886–1931)
Harry Maione (1908–1942)
Lucky Luciano (1897–1962)
Joseph Profaci (1898–1962)
Vito Genovese (1897–1969)
Carlo Gambino (1902–1976)
Aniello Dellacroce (1914–1985)
Joe Colombo (1923–1978)
Carmine Galante (1910–1979)
John Dioguardi (1914–1979)
Frank Tieri (1904–1981)
Roy Albert DeMeo (1941–1983)
Paul Vario (1914–1988)
Wilfred Johnson, (1935–1988)
Carmine Fatico (1910–1991)
Philip Rastelli (1918–1991)
James Napoli (1911–1992)
Carmine Lombardozzi (1913–1992)
John Gotti (1940–2002)
Vannie Higgins (1897–1932) – Prohibition era Mob Boss and Rum Runner
Michele Miranda (1896–1973)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._John_Cemetery,_Queens,_New_York#Organized_crime

8 posted on 12/30/2013 3:27:58 PM PST by ETL (ALL (most?) of the Obama-commie connections at my FR Home page: http://www.freerepublic.com/~etl/)
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To: rickmichaels
One young relative exploded in anger at the journalists on the sidewalk and punched a TV camera that struck a cameraman in the face.

That TV station will probably have to make up for it, maybe some under the table cash for the mob

9 posted on 12/30/2013 3:30:58 PM PST by GeronL (Extra Large Cheesy Over-Stuffed Hobbit)
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To: rickmichaels

As a Catholic myself I’ve always been troubled by the Church’s willingness to grant a Catholic burial...with all the *pomp*...to individuals who almost certainly can be said to have led blatantly and breathtakingly sinful lives.And that doesn’t just go for Italian mobsters...it also goes for the likes of IRA terrorists and assorted members of the Kennedy family (yes,I’m Irish).


10 posted on 12/30/2013 3:32:02 PM PST by Gay State Conservative (Osama Obama Care: A Religion That Will Have You On Your Knees!)
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To: ETL
There’s a cemetery within a mile of me here in Queens NY where some of the most infamous mobsters of all time are buried: St John Cemetery

A year or two ago,after having seen a Crime Channel documentary on Paul Castellano I made it a point to take the ferry to Staten Island to see the "White House",the mansion in which he lived.Very impressive...and very spooky too.One of these days I might take the subway for a peek at the Ravenite Social Club or Sparks Steak House.

11 posted on 12/30/2013 3:36:48 PM PST by Gay State Conservative (Osama Obama Care: A Religion That Will Have You On Your Knees!)
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To: rickmichaels

The savages don’t deserve a funeral in a Church.


12 posted on 12/30/2013 3:38:52 PM PST by Vision (Tune out, drop back)
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To: Gay State Conservative
One of these days I might take the subway for a peek at the Ravenite Social Club

Lol. It's now a pajama boy shoe store. In fact, most of historic Mulberry St is now pajama boy town. Damn shame what happened to it. Not referring to the Mob, but rather all the hard working Italian people and families that used to live there. Sky high rents drove nearly all of them out.

13 posted on 12/30/2013 3:44:42 PM PST by ETL (ALL (most?) of the Obama-commie connections at my FR Home page: http://www.freerepublic.com/~etl/)
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To: rickmichaels
Well he at least didn't have to feed the pigs, like his Sicilian Mafia/'Ndrangheta compatriot?
14 posted on 12/30/2013 4:02:31 PM PST by SES1066 (Quality, Speed or Economical - Any 2 of 3 except in government - 1 at best but never #3!)
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To: GeronL

Infant baptism doesn’t save. But based on your sarc tag, I think you know that.


15 posted on 12/30/2013 4:37:33 PM PST by Old Yeller
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To: Old Yeller

Of course I know that.

Who am I to question the church or the character of future Saint Vito.

:p


16 posted on 12/30/2013 4:41:29 PM PST by GeronL (Extra Large Cheesy Over-Stuffed Hobbit)
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To: rickmichaels
He spent six years in prison south of the border, giving rivals a chance to kill several of his family members and associates in a takeover bid.

I hate it when that happens.

17 posted on 12/30/2013 4:48:53 PM PST by x
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To: rickmichaels

Sold his eternal soul for a bunch of ‘stuff’.


18 posted on 12/30/2013 5:28:23 PM PST by Hammerhead
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To: Hammerhead

I’m sure he figured he would have to spend some time in Purgatory.


19 posted on 12/30/2013 6:43:04 PM PST by Old Yeller
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To: Old Yeller

Infant baptism doesn’t save? Really??


20 posted on 12/30/2013 7:07:14 PM PST by blu
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