Joe Masseria

Biography

Joseph ‘‘Joe’’ Masseria was a figure whose life story reflected the complexity of American history in the early twentieth century. Rising to prominence during a turbulent era, he became widely known for his involvement in organized criminal circles but also came to personify the conflicts of his times.

Despite the controversies surrounding him, Masseria’s life remains a reminder of the social challenges of the era and the efforts of law enforcement and communities to uphold peace. His burial at Calvary Cemetery places him among the many layered narratives of the city he knew so well.