Joe Catania the elder
c.1862 to July 22, 1902.
Catania (a.k.a. "Joe the Grocer") is remembered inaccurately as the father of younger Mafioso "Joe Baker." No documentary evidence proves the two Catanias were at all related. (Joe Baker's father appears to have been a bakery owner named Antonio.)

The elder Joe Catania, a Brooklyn green grocer by day, was among the earlier members of the Lupo-Morello gang to control activity on the Brooklyn docks. Catania was also reportedly involved in a transatlantic counterfeiting operation overseen by Sicilian boss of bosses Vito Cascio-Ferro and locally by Lupo.

The popularly accepted story of his demise: Catania, 40, became drunk one night and began talking too much about the counterfeiting racket. He was eliminated as a Mafia disciplinary measure.

Legend says his corpse was discovered packed with sawdust inside a barrel at 73rd Street at the bay on July 23, 1902. That legend is the result of the confused memories of some journalists. News accounts of the discovery of Catania's body by four boys heading to the bay for an early evening swim do not mention a barrel. According to New York Times articles, Catania was discovered within a potato sack lined with floor mats sewn into the shape of a large bag. His throat had been cut. His right thumb and forefinger were missing, authorities said, apparently the result of an earlier accident. Catania's death was almost immediately overshadowed by and confused with that of Benedetto Madonia - the real "barrel murder." By 1909, press accounts seem to have morphed the two men into one, and the New York Times referred to the barrel murder victim as "Benedetto Catania."

Police arrested Sicilian immigrant Vincenzo Troia for the killing of Catania, since the two men recently had quarreled over a debt. But they suspected the involvement of several others.

Joe Catania the younger
1901 to Feb. 3, 1931.
Catania (a.k.a. "Joe Baker") rose to prominence within the Morello Mob in the 1920s and appears to have been technically a part of Ciro Terranova's well-connected Bronx-Harlem organization. He may also have worked with Dutch Schultz, as some of Terranova's more important men - like Danny Iamascia - were shared with Schultz.

Catania was arrested numerous times for assault, burglary and disorderly conduct in the mid-1920s, but the charges were repeatedly dropped. In 1928, Catania was one of seven known criminals in attendance at a Bronx banquet held in honor of Magistrate Vitale. The presence of the hoodlums led to Vitale's downfall and helped bring an end to the Jimmy Walker Administration in New York City.

By the outbreak of the Castellamarese War, around 1930, Catania was a major player. Evidence of his importance: When peace feelers were sent by Morello-backed mob boss Joe Masseria to Castellamarese field marshal Salvatore Maranzano, Maranzano stated that he could not end the war yet because Joe Baker still lived. (Catania had repeatedly disrespected Maranzano by brazenly hijacking the mob leader's liquor shipments.)

The 29-year-old Baker was shot six times in the head and body by a Maranzano hit squad at 11:45 a.m. on Feb. 3, 1931, in front of 647 Crescent Avenue in the Bronx. He was rushed to Fordham Hospital, where he died. With Terranova and his allies picking up much of the tab, Catania was given perhaps the most elaborate gangland funeral in New York history. The cost was estimated at $40,000, including a $15,000 solid bronze coffin (the cost of the coffin is obviously overstated). Forty cars were needed to carry the floral displays, the largest of which - a 13-foot-high creation bearing the words "Our Pal" - was purchased by Terranova.

Terranova was apparently deeply affected by the loss of Catania, who was his nephew (through his wife) as well as a trusted aide and friend. At the funeral home, Terranova reportedly put his hand on Catania's coffin and swore to avenge his death. Maranzano spies learned of this and attempted unsuccessfully to corner and eliminate Terranova at that site.