Vito Cascioferro

Vito Cascioferro or Vito Cascio Ferro (January 22, 1862 – c. 1942, summer 1943 or 1945), also known as Don Vito, was a prominent member of the Sicilian Mafia. He also operated for several years in the United States. He is often depicted as the "boss of bosses", although such a position does not exist in the loose structure of Cosa Nostra in Sicily.

Cascioferro's life is full of myth and mystery. He became a legend even when he was alive, and that legend is partially responsible for creating the image of the gallant gentleman capomafia (Mafia boss).[1] He is widely considered to have been the killer of New York City police officer Joe Petrosino, in charge of the Italian Squad, in 1909. However, he has never been convicted for the crime.

With the rise of Fascism in Italy his untouchable position declined. He was arrested and sentenced to death in 1930 and would remain in jail until his death. The exact year of his death remains unknown.