Remember: The Aunts Are Always Right!

Aunt Mary Gunsiorowski is convinced I got Grandma Ceil's story wrong on my last Blog update. I recall researching Bayonne Mobster Boss John DiGilio after Grandma talked about him in 1988 after he was murdered. I remember wondering if any of his friends in high school were able to tell he was headed for a life of crime. Could anyone tell in the early years and/or were there any signs that snuffing out the lives of others would mean nothing to him in his adult life?

Honestly, I could swear mom told me that she dated him a couple of times in her teen years, but Aunt Mary says, "Nope. I have this story wrong!" In Irish families, the Aunts are always right! Aunt Mary insists that Grandma never dated John DeGilio and she would know because she's the little sister! Aunt Mary's recollection is that mom actually beat John DiGilio up for constantly cursing out and harassing other kids in The Alley. This is believable to me because those who knew mom know that she always protected people in her circle like a pit bull if you needed her in your corner or if she recognized you felt threatened.

Well, we'll have to check this story out with Uncle Dan and Uncle John. Maybe they (or someone else from Bayonne...) can weigh in here so we can solve the mystery of this descrepancy... Someone call Patsy Lavan!!

In the meantime, pick whatever version of this story you like best. Okay kids - Grandma Ceil either dated him or beat him up, but we can all agree on one thing: She and lots of her Hudson County friends definitely knew John, who was the oldest of six children in the DiGilio Family. If our tough Bayonne Irish-American mom actually beat up John DiGilio when they were kids, maybe it was actually her - Cecilia Marie Sharkey who inspired John to become a professional boxer before he marched on to his life of crime. You know - like no girl was ever going to beat him up again! Thanks Aunt Mary!! Even I like this story better!!

John was not very tall and stood at 5 foot 7 inches. Eight years before I was born, he won the 1950 New York Daily News Golden Gloves 126lb Sub-Novice Championships by defeating Manuel Vinho of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. While a welterweight boxer, he trained at the Bayonne Police Department Police Athletic League. His first professional boxing match was against Tony Loti on October 16, 1950 in Providence, Rhode Island, which he won by knock out. On April 8, 1954 in in Newark, New Jersey he defeated Felix Redondo and was awarded the New Jersey State Lightweight Title. On November 18, 1955 while fighting Tommy Barto at Madison Square Garden in New York, the fight was stopped, but DiGilio was deemed the winner. On June 15, 1956 once again at Madison Square Garden he knocked down Johnny Busso in 1:39 during the 4th round. The fight was eventually stopped due to cuts over DiGilio's eyes. On February 11, 1958 in Miami Beach, Florida DiGilio suffered a beating and was knocked down in the 4th, 5th and 6th rounds. On March 29, 1958 he fought against Stefan Redl Paterson, New Jersey for the New Jersey State Welterweight Championship and lost. In total, DiGilio boxed 231 rounds, won 28 and lost ten, being knocked out by opponents in three. During his boxing career he weighed in between 147 and 154 pounds and although he got heavier after leaving behind a boxing career, he maintained an athletic build with strong muscular defined shoulders and had an aura of self confidence. He was fairly flamboyant in appearance and in the 70's at the height of his success he drove a gold-colored Cadillac.

He was murdered in a Lincoln Continental. For a little guy he sure liked big cars, huh? Whatever the real story, I'm just glad mom didn't ride with this character for too long.

Best regards,
Everybody's Cousin Tish
Score: 16/51

Quote of the Day: "It's not an Irish-American thing, we drink wine to make all of you more interesting!" - Dedicated to all my Irish Cousins