The Volpe Brothers
Ignazio Volpe had eight sons and a business selling grapes and groceries in Wilmerding. And maybe a little winemaking on the side.
It was a family business, and his oldest, John – called “Giavano” in his native Naples – along with brother James would insist to the authorities they were “grocers” – generous grocers who somehow found a way to spread money, favors, jobs and political clout throughout the east Pittsburgh neighborhoods. That and an occasional trunk full of liquor during Prohibition for thirsty patrons.
The Volpe brothers may have been charitable in their communities (in exchange for votes), but they were ambitious and hardened when it came to running the rackets in Western Pennsylvania. When they moved into the City neighborhoods of the East End, Oakland, Bloomfield and the Hill District, things got rough. When they tried to muscle in on the North Side, things got deadly.
John, James and Arthur Volpe met their end in a gangster style hit on Wylie Avenue in 1932. Seven thousand people came to the funeral. A mob hit was organized in response to settle the score. And brother Louis came away with John’s luxurious 16-cylinder Cadillac, keeping it all in the family.
