Mafalda, named after an Italian princess, was the youngest Capone sibling and the only sister. Born 13 years after Al, she grew up spoiled, and retained a reputation as a profane and sharp-tongued woman throughout her life.
Born in New York, Mafalda arrived in Chicago with the rest of her family as a toddler. She attended the old Lucy Flower Vocational High School on the West side, once one of the city's best (it was closed in the late 1990s).
On December 14, 1930, she was married at the church pictured here, St. Mary's of Czestochowa, at 3010 S. 48th Ct., in Cicero. Located in the family-run town, but safely in the Polish section of town, near the Chicago border, St. Mary's provided a safe locale for the wedding event of the year. Mafalda wore a satin gown with a 25-foot train and carried a bouquet of 400 flowers down the aisle, where she was given away by her brother Ralph. At the time, Al feared arrest in Chicago and so did not attend.
The groom was John Maritote, the younger brother of a Capone organization affiliate Frank "Diamond" Maritote, who later went to prison in the Bioff/Brown Hollywood extortion case in 1943.
Mafalda was a loyal Capone family apologist throughout her life, although she was never directly known to be involved in any racketeering. Later in life she ran a successful bakery and catering service. She passed in early 1988.
Hi thanks for this site~ My Grandfather was Albert Capone and I remember going to Aunt Mafalda's bakery when I was a very young child. She used to give us candy necklaces! I wish I had more info on my family on this side but unfortunately I don't. My father, Albert's only Son, Robert Francis Rayola, divorced my Mom when I was a toddler and we had little contact with him, except for visits to see Grandpa Al.
ReplyDeleteWe may have a photo of your Aunt Malfalda in her wedding dress. The wedding cake of a cruise ship has both sir names on two smoke stacks and we always thought it was one of the capone brothers cake and now we realize it may have been Malfaldas wedding photo with her new husband. rgmaffe@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteTo anonymous, I do have a picture of your father when he was about ten. He is dressed in a hat and suit. Mafalda was my aunt also, being married to John, my father's brother. contact me if you would like a copy or to look at the photo. Frank
ReplyDeleteDo any of you know anything about your Auntie here in Half Moon Bay, Calif??? Rumor has it that she and her husband John had a speakeasy/restaurant here on the San Mateo Coast many years ago.
ReplyDeleteWhere was Mafalda's shop?
ReplyDeleteCalled the Moon Dream?
ReplyDeleteThe rumors I've heard (and to which other commenters refer) are that Mafalda Maritote opened a bakery and cafe called the "Moon Dream" in Half Moon Bay, CA (bay area) during the 1950s or possibly as late as the 1960s.
ReplyDeleteI'd be happy to see any evidence confirming or denying these rumors, though, if anyone knows of such evidence.
I am working on a little project about the coast (no, not a book)and have recently heard the rumor of the Moon Dream Cafe. I dropped by the place and took a self-guided tour. The park ranger there (it is now a ranger station at the entrance of a state beach)confirmed that she had heard the story too.
ReplyDeleteIs there any way to confirm it. According to the several books I have read on the subject, the coastside was the #1 port for illegal booze on the entire west coast.
I ran into Bev Cunha the other day (her family name is on most buildings, schools, and streets in town)and she told me that back when she was a young girl, she was told to stay clear of the place because of the gangsters that hung out there. She insists that it was during the forties and not fifties. Any help would be appreciated.
My Grandmother was Marie Mc Caffer (nae Maritoe).Daughter of Frank Maritote. I was wondering if you possible have any photos of her as a child. We have none.
ReplyDeleteHello~ It's me~ with the original comment about my Father, Robert Francis Rayola. I'd love to see a picture or have a copy of both Aunt Mafaldo in her wedding dress and my father as a boy of 10.
ReplyDeleteI forgot I'd posted and found this again when looking for info on my father. We don't have many pictures at all as many were lost in a move a long time ago. Thank you, Allyson
Lisa HoffmanJanuary 31, 2013 at 1:10 PM
DeleteWould anyone know of the parents or sibling names to Mafalda's grandmother Cardino Alfani
i have an interesting story concerning Mafalda. Does anyone know if she was pregnant before or when she was married? My Great Grandfather was "close" to her then suddenly had to leave town with his wife and 2 children (my grandfather) because a hit was put on the entire family. Rumors have been out there for as long as I remember, but didn''t get the full story since everyone was sworn to secreacy many yrs ago. My great aunt died almost 2yrs ago and spilled the beans on her death bed. Obviously my sur name has been changed and have just learned it recently. by the way he was irish, direct from Irland as a young man.
ReplyDeleteHi. Great site. I was wondering if there are any photos of Mafalda with her friends during their teen years, possibly early 20's. My great aunt was very good friends with Mafalda at this time. Her name was Mildred "Millie" Prochaska. Thank you.
ReplyDelete@ Anomymous from July 14, 2009
ReplyDeleteI would like to speak with you. I have a couple of questions about my family for you. I'm certain you can help me with the answers. How do we get in touch with one another?
My grandmother, Frances Gustafson, was one of Mafalda's teachers (I'm not sure what grade). After she passed away in the early 1980s, we found among her belongings an invitation to Mafalda's wedding that she had saved all those years. Unfortunately, she was unable to attend the wedding, because my father was born, very premature, on December 10, 1930, and she was still in the hospital.
ReplyDeleteI myself would like to know if any Nephew or niece of Al Capone or Mafalda were born in Italy and married in Italy and around 1940s lived in U.S. and last name was changed to Naracci, Naraci, my grandma was born in Pennsylvania United States and she said US changed her name she too is named Marie like Dreidre Marie Capone
ReplyDeleteI'm the same one tat has a grandma born in Pennsylvania, she said Al Capone was he Great Uncle
ReplyDeleteIf you post as anonymous, you're just a wannabe.
ReplyDeleteIm surprised this thread is so ongoing. Stumbled on it doing a search. I have seen original photos of their wedding by the hired photographer.. If interested I can post but it might be a week or two.
ReplyDeleteWould anyone know of the parents or sibling names to Mafalda's grandmother Cardino Alfani
ReplyDeleteStrange??? how could Mafalda be in Half Moon Bay, Calif.---when she and John lived on south 103rd street in Chicago and own a deli on Western ave., which was burned or Bomb? in the late 1950's? I know because I rented the building after it was remodeled and open the Jazz Night club "The Black-eyed Pea" in 1959.
ReplyDeleteIt's alway funny to hear "these rummers"----I was born in 1931 grew-up in the Taylor & Halsted area and knew, as a young boy, many of the aging (in the forties) "42 gang". Oh, by the way, I had many a dring at Fox's Pub on Cicero Ave.--Mike Francisco May 2, 2013
To clear up a few "doubting Thomas" the address on the Western ave. deli was 10232 So. Western Ave. I think the incident with the police officer in 1957,just may been a connection to the fire--Just a thought. And the Fox's Pub where I lifted a few was in the Cicero Ave location in Oak Lawn.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know if Mafalda ever lived on university ave in san jose,ca.? I've heard stories that she did but never knew if they were true. I live in the area and am very curious to know.
ReplyDeleteWonderful and interesting comments. Sure hate throwing more fuel on the fire, BUT, in Santa Cruz, Ca in 1951-52 I remember meeting a nice lady on King Street that was rumored to be Al Capones sister. The sister was married to a man named Sam Miano and lived on the corner of King and Otis Streets. Help someone.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteHi Sam Miano was actually my great great uncle and Concetta was the niece of one of the Capone siblings, i’m not sure which one! But they had a lot of mafia related business in santa cruz and were involved in the santa cruz boardwalk and much of santa cruz in general.
DeleteMy mother-in-law, Italian, always told me that she was the granddaughter of Al carnal, his mother's name was Mary Elizabeth Capone, I tried several matches but have not found anything, this Mary Elizabeth was born in Sardinia, namely the island of La Maddalena, probably will have been the daughter of a brother of Al, because Al had only 2 sisters, Rose and Mafalda, we know something about a brother of Al returned to Italy? could respond to this post? thank you very
ReplyDeleteMy mother-in-law, Italian, always told me that she was the granddaughter of Al carnal, his mother's name was Mary Elizabeth Capone, I tried several matches but have not found anything, this Mary Elizabeth was born in Sardinia, namely the island of La Maddalena, probably will have been the daughter of a brother of Al, because Al had only 2 sisters, Rose and Mafalda, we know something about a brother of Al returned to Italy? could respond to this post? thank you very
ReplyDeleteIm alphonse's great great nephew and I live in maryland
ReplyDeleteMafelda built and lived in the building at 9956 S. Western Av. Chicago. Fox's Pizza opened there in about 1966-7. Mafelda lived in the upstairs apartment. She and Tom Fox didn't get along well as he walled off her inside entrance to the 1st floor busines. She molved out shortly after. Fox's Pizza is there to this day.
ReplyDeleteThis is 100% accurate. John also worked at the evergreen movie theater. My mother and Mae were good friends. Mae had a little chihuahua that I adored. Mae and John had one daughter. She was a wonderful lady.
DeleteWhen we knew her first, she had her business on 102nd and Western ave, much smaller than the her new location on 99th and Western. We remember Mafalda as Mae and John was always there keeping an eye on things. She always gave us a little extra, or sometimes as noted in a previous post, some freebies, particularly to young kids.
ReplyDeleteI have a beautiful picture of my uncle Johnny and aunt mafalda wedding my mother was the flower girl in the wedding she also was Al's God daughter the picture is of them walking out of the church if any of the family members would like a copy contact me @ jerrycnavarro@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteSo many of this posts are false. My aunt Maffy, never had a bakery in California in fact she never lived there. She was not pregnant when she married John. The wedding cake and gown facts are true.
ReplyDeleteAllison I do have information about your father. Contact me over my website, www.unclealcapone.com
Hi my name is Nichole Necessary I also.was told my whole life that my grandmother uncle was Al Capone her name was Helen Deguido
DeleteI was wondering if anyone has pictures of Mafalda with her child hood friends, my grandmother used to play with her in Chicago. My grandmothers name was AnnaJune Bauer she also went by Micky. If you think you do I would love to get a copy of one for are family tree, it was a cool memory when my grandma would talk about her childhood in Chicago. you can contact me at ozkee8@yahoo.com TIA
ReplyDeleteFrank the "Diamond" was my aunt Francis father. I came to realize the connections after I began renting the Casa Madrid speakeasy (in famous bookee joint for the Maywood Park Race Track) litered with tunnels throughout the City of Melrose Park IL outside Chicago. Capone evaded Johnny & Mafalda's lavish Palmer House weding, as he knew Elliot Ness & an army of FBI we're prepared to greet him there! He however built a mansion for 'Auntie May & Uncle Johnny' in Kenosha WI where family members often visited when coming through the area.
ReplyDeleteThe Maritote girls owned a very prosperous restaurant in Schiller Park IL called "Pasta Vino".
It was demolished to make way for an hotel, now standing on the property housing a resaurant / nightclub known as "Pal Joey's"and the seafood is terrific along with great Sinatra & Old Italian music...you must GO!
Franks son Roger Maritote was a successful lawyer in Roselle, IL who passed around 2003. At his funeral the scrap book of Frank was brought from mothballs by his daughters but for very, very,
limited viewing.
As a Bishop I do pray for the sins of my family members... yet as all sinners they are entitled to the forgiveness & grace upon their souls as well as those they have harmed or killed. This is our Catholic Faith. AMEN+
to franci x maritote who posted comment on October 9, 2009 at 3:13 p.m.
ReplyDeleteI believe I know you if you worked downtown on Lasalle street for many years.
I have not seen you since 2008 when I left due to a motorcycle accident.
Natalie
My dad claimed he was a guest at this wedding. Does anyone have a guest list?
ReplyDeleteI was lucky enough to have met Mafalda and her husband, while she was in a nursing home where I was working. She kept photos of her brother Al, and the rest of her family, in her nightstand, as well as photos of her wedding, the magnificent cruise ship wedding cake that Al had made for her and her husband, as well as other trinkets and photos. She had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's at the time I was taking care of her, however, if you opened the nightstand where she kept those photos, and mentioned her brother, showed her those photos, she lit up like the North Star! The sweetest thing was when her husband would come and visit her every single day! He would brush her hair, help with her makeup, help dress her, feed her, etc., looking every part the classy gentleman; pin stripe suits, overcoat, hat etc. You could just see the love they had for each other! I will always look back with fondness at my time spent with her!
ReplyDeleteThank you for writing. I am sure there was also a photo in her nightstand of a young girl wearing a diamond cross necklace. She kept it near her all the time. That girl is me.
ReplyDeleteI did visit her there twice. It was sad for me to see her in that condition.
I am doing what I can to reeducate the world about my family. They were good people.
Deirdre
My mother Delia (Tillie) was rumored to been in Malfada's wedding party. Could never find any evidence confirming. Any help will be appreciated.
ReplyDeleteMy dad Rocky Ellsworth was an entertainer in the 9750 Club, Garage Cafe, and Casino in the 30's.
Mafalda (Mae) died in Iosco County, Michigan, in 1988. The Michigan death certificate says 'Tawas City.' I have no idea how she got to northern Michigan but would love to know. LoriLyn, where was the nursing home where you met Mafalda? There is an article in Michigan History magazine by a man who interviewed Mae. So it does seem like she lived in Oscoda (Iosco County) at least in the mid-1980s. But, could there be more than one Mafalda Capone?
ReplyDeleteI worked at Tendercare nursing home in Tawas City and was told that Al Capones sister used to be there. She passed in 1988, I started in '92. There are 3 homes in Tawas City. Tendercare (now changed names) Iosco Medical and Lakeview..
DeleteMae and john lived at Lakewood shores in oscoda michigan when they retired. He brought her to the nursing home in harrisville when he couldn't take care of her anymore. He did visit every day.
ReplyDeleteGreat detail, Anonymous. Thanks! But my basic questions is, 'Why northern Michigan?' I can find no connection between the Maritotes/Capones and this area of Michigan. Al spend a couple of summers at a lake near Lansing. But Oscoda? This, basically, is the end of the world. A very unlikely spot to choose randomly for retirement. Any thoughts on why Mae and her husband left Chicago for the wilds (literally) of this part of Michigan? And when? My last info on Mae in Chicago is from the late fifties.
ReplyDeleteMy aunt Mafalda and my uncle John moved from Chicago to Oscoda Micigan because their daughter was married to an officer in the Air Force and he was stationed at Wurtsmith Air Force base. After they moved to Michigan he was relocated to California.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Deirdre! Makes sense. I think the Air Force colonel's name was George Irvin, right? I was looking for a reason for a Capone relative to end up in the wilds of Northern Michigan. It looks like it was for a reason any of us might move the Oscoda! I wonder when Malfalda and John left Chicago. Theresa, Dolores' daughter, was born in Riverside CA in 1958; I imagine that Dolores and husband moved around quite a bit during his career in the Air Force.
ReplyDeleteI can verify that John and Malfalda lived in Lakewood Shores,in Oscoda, MI (Iosco county) because my father bought our home in 1994 from John Maritote, when he had moved to California with his daughter. I was told that Al Capone bought the house for them as a wedding present but I do not know how true that is. We lived in that house until it burnt down in Aug 2008. A new house was built in that spot right after and we moved in to the new house in July 2009.I did hear many stories as well as to how John would go visit Malfalda in the nursing home daily and how much he had loved her!!
ReplyDeleteHi Dierdre, my great grandfather /grandparents were friends with Al Capone and my uncle just sent me a Dec 17, 1930 newspaper article that says “Howard Roberts of the West side was among the persons who attended the mafalda wedding etc .. ” and goes on. We also had physical black and white photographs of my great grandpa and all his brothers and Al Capone but I can’t find that now. I could send you the wedding newspaper article. I thought it would be cool to learn more about my family history, please let me know if you recognize the name I gave!!
ReplyDeleteYes I would love to see it. Send a copy to deirdre@unclealcapone.com
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother (now deceased) was a good friend of Malfalda and was a bridesmaid in her wedding.
ReplyDeleteMy parents leased the Moon Dream Bar, Hotel, Restuarant, in Half Moon Bay, Ca, in the 1950’s from Sam and Concetta Milano. Sam and Connie were God parents to my father. My father was born and raised in Santa Cruz. Concetta claimed she was a sister of Al Capone. We never knew for sure. Sam Miano was a pin ball distributor, but rumored to be involved in illegal gambling. He also offered my father a bar in Pescadero, Ca, which Sam andConnie owned. I spent much time at the Miano home in Santa Cruz asa little girl. The Mianos had no children, but treated me as family. The Mianos were good friends with my grandmother Amalia Belfi Gozzi Puccinelli. I loved Sam and Connie,they were like Auntie and Uncle to me. I last saw Sammie just before he died in Santa Cruz. He gave me the candie “Boston beans” which I had loved as a child. I was a mother of 4 then, with our oldest to soon attend UC Santa Cruz. Sam offered to let our son live there with him in return for him just checking in on Sam.
ReplyDeleteI don’t know if this was a real connection to Al Capone, but Connie spoke fondly of him. Maybe a cousin, if not a sister?
My name is Christina Miano and these comments are so cool to read! Sam Miano was my great uncle (grandfather's brother) and his nephew (my Dad Frankie Miano) told me Concetta was the niece of Al Capone. My Pops and Mom all grew up in Chicago and Sam came out to California first and we later followed to the Bay Area.
ReplyDeleteI also knew Sam and Connie Miano growing up. Sam bought a ranch at the end of the road in the foothills near Orland, California. He converted the ranch into his private hunting reserve for pheasants and quail. He dug a small lake and had hunting blinds for duck hunting. He loved hunting. Sam took me pheasant hunting when he went pheasant hunting on local farms. My father, Sam, and I went deer hunting every year in Trinity county. We loaded the first deer I shot when I was 12 into the back of his Jeep. He also had a trout fishing cabin in Siskiyou county at a gated private creek. I got my first driving ticket at night when I was 16 driving Sam home from a deer hunting trip. We knew he was in the mafia. There were several meetings held at the hunting ranch with guys in black limousines. I had to remain outside with the drivers until the meeting was over.The best part was getting the wonderful leftovers that Connie had prepared. We visited their house in Santa Cruz. King street seems familiar. Sam would take me and my younger brother to Capitola. Sam would take us to each of the stores on the boardwalk and tell them to give us whatever we wanted. We went through a lot of rolls of coins for the pinball machines. Sam and Connie treated like their own. I lost track of them when I got drafted and went to Vietnam
ReplyDeleteclarenceawalker336@gmail.com
ReplyDelete