Terranova was a Capo in Joe Masseria's Family during the 1920s and was known as the "Artichoke King" because of his monopoly of all artichoke imports into New York City. After Masseria's murder in 1931 Terranova was demoted by Lucky Luciano [the Family's new boss) and faded from the scene. At the time of his death seven years later, the New York Police ruled him "criminally, financially and physically" out of the picture of current underworld activities. Terranova died of natural causes on Feb. 20,1938. He was 49 years old. Ciro Terranova was a half-brother of the Morello brothers and the brother-in-law of Ignatius (Lupo the Wolf ) Lupo all of whom were powerful Black Hand gangsters in the early part of this century.
Terranova was a Capo in Joe Masseria's Family during the 1920s and was known as the "Artichoke King" because of his monopoly of all artichoke imports into New York City. After Masseria's murder in 1931 Terranova was demoted by Lucky Luciano [the Family's new boss) and faded from the scene. At the time of his death seven years later, the New York Police ruled him "criminally, financially and physically" out of the picture of current underworld activities. Terranova died of natural causes on Feb. 20,1938. He was 49 years old. Ciro Terranova was a half-brother of the Morello brothers and the brother-in-law of Ignatius (Lupo the Wolf ) Lupo all of whom were powerful Black Hand gangsters in the early part of this century.
Family Members
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See more Terranova memorials in:
Records on Ancestry
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