Joseph Puma
Joseph "Joey" Puma (d. 1985) was a member of the Bonanno crime family.
Biography
Born in Little Italy, Manhattan, Joseph Puma became inducted into the Bonanno crime family when he served under capo Michael Sabella. He served under Sabella until July 12, 1979 when capo Carmine Galante was murdered, and Sabella demoted to the rank of "sidewalk soldier". Joseph was then placed in the crew of rival Bonanno crime family capo Phillip Giaccone until May 5, 1981 when capo Joseph Massino murdered Giaconne. After Giaconne's slaying in 1981 Joseph was briefly placed in the crew of Dominick Napolitano until Napolitano, himself was murdered in the aftermath of the Donnie Brasco investigation on August 17th, 1981. Joseph was a long-time veteran "retired" mobster who moved from New York City to Hallandale, Florida. In Hallandale, he opened a successful fine Italian cuisine restaurant called "Little Italy", derived from Little Italy, Manhattan where he was born, located at 1025 East Hallandale Beach Boulevard, in Hallandale, Florida.
Joseph was considered an important member in the Bonanno crime family even though he was considered "retired". Joseph was a close associate with Bonanno crime family mobster Steven Maruca. In the aftermath of the Donnie Brasco investigation Puma died of NATURAL causes in 1985 a free man in Hallandale, Florida (near Miami, Florida).
References
- Pistone, Joseph, Donnie Brasco: My Undercover Life in the Mafia. Random House Value Publishing (February 1990) ISBN 5552531299