Rosario DeSimone

Rosario DeSimone a.k.a. The Chief (December 11, 1873-July 15, 1946) was the head of what is now the Los Angeles crime family of the La Cosa Nostra from 1922 to 1925 which is now run by Peter Milano. Rosario was the father of the future California mob boss, Frank DeSimone and uncle of New York City mobsters Anthony DeSimone, Thomas DeSimone, Robert DeSimone and Dolores DeSimone. Rosario is also related to James DeSimone, Joseph DeSimone and Ralph DeSimone who are also New York City mobsters

Biography

DeSimone was born in Salaparuta, Sicily in Italy on December 11, 1873. He initially settled in New Orleans before moving to Pueblo, Colorado. In Pueblo he was part of that city's Mafia organization, and was evidently well-respected. He joined Vito Di Giorgio in Los Angeles and became his underboss. Upon Di Giorgio's death in Chicago in 1922, he became the boss.

Desimone married and fathered several children. His son by his first wife, Leon Desimone, became a successful Los Angelees surgeon. Frank DeSimone, his son by his second wife, became a criminal attorney and later don of the crime family, reigining from 1963 to 1967. Unfortunately his son Frank did not have a successful leadership which earned the family under his rule as "The Mickey Mouse Mafia." His second son sought no interest to follow in his father's footsteps to lead a life of crime and became a successful Los Angeles medical doctor. His empire spanned over Los Angeles, California, San Diego, California and Las Vegas, Nevada. He later became a legitimate businessman who settled in Downey, California. Rosario died of natural causes in 1946. His rule in the Los Angeles Family was brief, and he stepped down around 1925. He was succeeded by Joseph Ardizzone.