The reign of the Rizzuto crime family over the Montreal Mafia may be coming to an end as the Rizzuto’s have seen their ranks severely depleted over last few years. The death of its once all powerful boss Vito Rizzuto may have been the final step in the crime families fall from power. The Rizzuto family also lost many of its other high ranking members in the recent Montreal mafia war including Vito’s son Nick Rizzuto Jr , father and family patriarch Nicolo Rizzuto , and brother-n-law and consigliere Paolo Renda. The Rizzuto family was part of the Sicilian mafia which took control of the Montreal underworld from the Calabrian mafia faction during a mafia war in the 1970’s. The Rizzuto’s were once considered a part of the New York based Bonanno crime family and took over control of Montreal mafia with their blessing. As the Rizzuto family grew in power over the years under Vito’s lead many believe that the crime family broke ties to the Bonanno family and operated completely independent of the mafia in America strengthening its ties back to Italy and elsewhere.
The Sicilian faction may still be in position to maintain control of the Montreal mafia as the Rizzuto family era seemingly comes to an end although they could encounter some opposition. It is still unknown if Vito Rizzuto named a successor to take over the family before he passed away or if a boss will be put in place by remaining leaders from with in the organization. Another major question is can this new boss fill the void left by Vito and complete a peaceful transition of power. Some possible candidates to take over the Montreal mafia on behalf of the Sicilian faction and what remains of the Rizzuto organization according to mafia insiders are Rocco Sollecito, Francesco Arcadi, and Liborio “Poncho” Cuntrera. Sollecito was a very close childhood friend and loyal ally of Vito and is believed to have been one of the heads of the crime family in control of its interest in the construction business. Acardi took over day to day operations of the Rizzuto family while Vito was in prison and is only surviving member of family’s former ruling executives. Cuntrera is son of powerful family associate Agostino Cuntrera.
The Calabrian mafia or Ndrangheta may see the power void created by the death of Vito Rizzuto as a chance to take back control from the Sicilian faction and if so another mafia war could develop in Montreal. Below is a chart of the Rizzuto family members and their current status showing how depleted the ranks of the family are today. In time a new leader of the Montreal Mafia is sure to surface but it seems that the long and powerful reign of one of the most powerful mafia families in history has come to an end. Many believe the Montreal mafia may never be the same again.
(click photo to enlarge)
