Albert Anastasia

Passions

Lifestyle

Notable

Italian Cosa Nostra mafia chief and mobster, one of the most ruthless and feared organized crime figures in United States history. A founder of both the American Mafia and Murder, Inc., Anastasia was boss of what became the modern Gambino crime family. Anastasia was perhaps the most feared hit-man of the Cosa Nostra's golden era, earning the infamous nicknames "Mad Hatter" and "Lord High Executioner". Anastasia was also in control of the New York waterfront for most of his criminal career, including the dockworker unions. On the morning of 25 October 1957, Anastasia entered the barber shop of the Park Sheraton Hotel, at 56th Street and 7th Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. Anastasia's driver parked the car in an underground garage and then took a walk outside, leaving him unprotected. As Anastasia relaxed in the barber's chair, two men—scarves covering their faces—rushed in, shoved the barber out of the way, and fired at Anastasia. After the first volley of bullets, Anastasia allegedly lunged at his killers. However, the stunned Anastasia had actually attacked the gunmen's reflections in the wall mirror of the barber shop. The gunmen continued firing until Anastasia finally fell dead on the floor Link to Wikipedia biography