Alfonso "Al the Pizza Man" Tornabene (1923 – May 17, 2009) was a Chicago-area resident who was reported by several newspapers to have been a high-ranking member of the Chicago Outfit crime organization.
In 1955, Tornabene opened the Villa Nova pizzeria in Stickney, Illinois.[1][2] He and his family later expanded the business to three other locations around Chicago.[1][2] In 2015 and 2020 it was voted as serving Chicago's best pizza.
Career in the Chicago Outfit
Tornabene began his career in the Outfit as a bookie.[3] However, he never had a criminal record of any kind.[3] He was a long time member of the Chicago Heights Street Crew.
In 1997, Tornabene was identified by the Chicago Crime Commission in its "New Faces of Organized Crime" book as being a member of the Chicago Outfit crime organization.[1][2] Tornabene was identified as being a lieutenant for the Outfit's West Side Crew, which at that time was run by Anthony Centracchio.[1][2]
Subsequently, Tornabene was identified as having helped to run the Chicago Outfit while its then-boss, James Marcello, was imprisoned between 1992 and 2003.[1][2][4]
Court records also showed that Tornabene had presided over a 1983 ceremony that made several mobsters full members of the Outfit, including Frank Calabrese, Sr. and Nicholas Calabrese.[1][2][4] Tornabene had presided over the ceremony along with Joseph Aiuppa, Nicholas Calabrese told federal investigators.[5] Several other men were apparently inducted at the ceremony, though due to their age and standing in the organization, they are thought to have been re-inducted.
In 2009, Tornabene was identified as having been an original target in the Operation Family Secrets mob investigation in 2002, an investigation that ultimately sent Chicago Outfit members James Marcello, Joseph Lombardo and Frank Calabrese, Sr. to federal prison for life.[6] However, Tornabene was never charged in the Family Secrets case.[6]
One of Tornabene's associates, Anthony Zizzo, disappeared on August 31, 2006 after leaving his house in Westmont, Illinois.[7] Zizzo's car was abandoned at a restaurant in Melrose Park, Illinois.[7]
Tornabene's wife died in 1988.[1][2] He was survived by one daughter, a sister and a granddaughter.[1][2]
Tornabene was reported to be the cousin of Chicago Outfit boss Samuel Carlisi.[3] He also was reported to have been the brother of the late Frank Tornabene, who was active in Chicago Outfit vice rackets.[3]
Contrary to what was reported by ABC news, Al Tornabene is not related by marriage to Rod Blagojevich, nor is he related to Frank Tornabene, he had 2 brothers (Sam and Roy) and one sister.
^ abcdefghijkGoldsborough, Bob (June 1, 2009). "Alfonso Tornabene : 1923-2009 - 'Pizza Man' was an alleged leader of Outfit - Pizzeria owner had longtime mob ties, officials have said". Chicago Tribune. p. 17.
^ abcd. Archived from the original on 2011-06-04. Retrieved 2009-06-02.
^ abWarmbir, Steve (June 10, 2007). . Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on May 6, 2009. Retrieved June 2, 2009.
^. Archived from the original on 2011-06-04. Retrieved 2020-06-11.
^ ab. Archived from the original on 2011-06-04. Retrieved 2020-06-11.
^ abWarmbir, Steve (April 10, 2007). "Help FBI find 'Little Tony'". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 10.
May 15, 2023
tornabene, alfonso, pizza, tornabene, 1923, 2009, chicago, area, resident, reported, several, newspapers, have, been, high, ranking, member, chicago, outfit, crime, organization, contents, career, pizzeria, owner, career, chicago, outfit, death, personal, refe. Alfonso Al the Pizza Man Tornabene 1923 May 17 2009 was a Chicago area resident who was reported by several newspapers to have been a high ranking member of the Chicago Outfit crime organization Contents 1 Career as a pizzeria owner 2 Career in the Chicago Outfit 3 Death 4 Personal 5 ReferencesCareer as a pizzeria owner EditIn 1955 Tornabene opened the Villa Nova pizzeria in Stickney Illinois 1 2 He and his family later expanded the business to three other locations around Chicago 1 2 In 2015 and 2020 it was voted as serving Chicago s best pizza Career in the Chicago Outfit EditTornabene began his career in the Outfit as a bookie 3 However he never had a criminal record of any kind 3 He was a long time member of the Chicago Heights Street Crew In 1997 Tornabene was identified by the Chicago Crime Commission in its New Faces of Organized Crime book as being a member of the Chicago Outfit crime organization 1 2 Tornabene was identified as being a lieutenant for the Outfit s West Side Crew which at that time was run by Anthony Centracchio 1 2 Subsequently Tornabene was identified as having helped to run the Chicago Outfit while its then boss James Marcello was imprisoned between 1992 and 2003 1 2 4 Court records also showed that Tornabene had presided over a 1983 ceremony that made several mobsters full members of the Outfit including Frank Calabrese Sr and Nicholas Calabrese 1 2 4 Tornabene had presided over the ceremony along with Joseph Aiuppa Nicholas Calabrese told federal investigators 5 Several other men were apparently inducted at the ceremony though due to their age and standing in the organization they are thought to have been re inducted In 2007 the Chicago Crime Commission s then chief James Wagner told the Chicago Tribune that Tornabene was running the Outfit s activities in Chicago s south suburbs 1 2 In 2009 Tornabene was identified as having been an original target in the Operation Family Secrets mob investigation in 2002 an investigation that ultimately sent Chicago Outfit members James Marcello Joseph Lombardo and Frank Calabrese Sr to federal prison for life 6 However Tornabene was never charged in the Family Secrets case 6 One of Tornabene s associates Anthony Zizzo disappeared on August 31 2006 after leaving his house in Westmont Illinois 7 Zizzo s car was abandoned at a restaurant in Melrose Park Illinois 7 Death EditTornabene died on May 17 2009 at MacNeal Hospital in Berwyn Illinois of complications related to peptic ulcer disease 1 2 Personal EditTornabene s wife died in 1988 1 2 He was survived by one daughter a sister and a granddaughter 1 2 Tornabene was reported to be the cousin of Chicago Outfit boss Samuel Carlisi 3 He also was reported to have been the brother of the late Frank Tornabene who was active in Chicago Outfit vice rackets 3 Tornabene lived for most of his life in Stickney Illinois 1 2 Contrary to what was reported by ABC news Al Tornabene is not related by marriage to Rod Blagojevich nor is he related to Frank Tornabene he had 2 brothers Sam and Roy and one sister References Edit a b c d e f g h i j k Topic Galleries Chicago Tribune a b c d e f g h i j k Goldsborough Bob June 1 2009 Alfonso Tornabene 1923 2009 Pizza Man was an alleged leader of Outfit Pizzeria owner had longtime mob ties officials have said Chicago Tribune p 17 a b c d The Oath of the Outfit 6 21 07 abc7chicago com Archived from the original on 2011 06 04 Retrieved 2009 06 02 a b Warmbir Steve June 10 2007 No telling who s boss of Chicago Outfit Chicago Sun Times Archived from the original on May 6 2009 Retrieved June 2 2009 Mob boss dies abc7chicago com Archived from the original on 2011 06 04 Retrieved 2020 06 11 a b New fed docs show larger Family Secrets plan abc7chicago com Archived from the original on 2011 06 04 Retrieved 2020 06 11 a b Warmbir Steve April 10 2007 Help FBI find Little Tony Chicago Sun Times p 10 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Al Tornabene amp oldid 1111182768, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
