Joseph Lombardo

Born circa. 1897.

A native of Salemi, Sicily, Lombardo emigrated to the United States early in his life, eventually ending up in Boston, where he fell in with Gaspare Messina. Lombardo showed himself to be a capable member of Messina’s mafia, rising in the ranks. He aligned himself early on with Philip Buccola, a newcomer from Sicily, who himself showed promise in the organization.

Lombardo is widely understood to be the man for outsiders to see regarding any dealings with the Boston Italian mafia. He is a capable, charming negotiator, able to make arrangements with the surrounding criminal groups in Boston. In particular, he is the most well-known member of Boston's mafiosi to Frank Boyle and his organization, dealing with them regularly.