Joe Adonis (November 22, 1902 - November 26, 1971) moved from Naples to New York as a child. In the 1920s he began working for Lucky Luciano and participated in the assassin of crime leader, Giuseppe Masseria. With Maseria out of the way, Luciano's power in organized crime grew and Adonis became a rackets boss.
After being convicted of gambling in 1951, Adonis was sent to prison then later deported to Italy when the authorities discovered he was an illegal alien.
See Also: Glossary of Common Mafia Terms