Tales Of The Old Neighborhood/ Part 2
His real name was Alessandro Federico Petricone Jr and he grew up in the mean streets of Somerivlle during the 40's & 50"s. He was there from the beginning when the Winter Hill Gang had morphed from just a collection of thugs to a criminal organization. The gang was led by a fierce barroom brawler by the name of Buddy McLean. The gang ran most of the gambling & vice in the city of Somerville and were frequently at odds with another gang from nearby Charlestown. The two gangs had the one thing in common - they were always looking for trouble, so it was inevitable they would clash over something. In 1961 a member of the Charlestown gang (George McLaughlin) was hitting on Petricone's girlfriend. Winter Hill gang members stepped in and beat him to within an inch of his life. Thus began what came to be known as the "Irish Gang War". When Bernie McLaughlin was murdered, Petricone & McLean were arrested and questioned about the murder. Petricone was released and decided to leave the state. He moved to California and worked at becoming an actor. McLean would later be killed leaving a bar in Somerville.
Buddy McLean
"Buddy was with friends and bodyguards Tony Blue and ex-fighter Rico Sacramone in the back room of Pal Joey's on Marshall Street. Buddy's Buick Electra was parked in front of the boarded up Capitol Theatre. The three guys exited the bar and crossed Broadway to Buddy's car. As Tony and Rico started around to the passenger side, a thunderous crack accompanied by a flash came from the theatre doorway. Tony immediately raised his left arm and got a bullet in his elbow. Three other slugs from the same shotgun blast ended up in his lungs. Rico was hit with four rounds in the top of the head. He fell to the ground and appeared to be dead. From behind, Buddy saw it all and made his last decision. He opted to not leave his guys behind.".....according to Bobby Martini
Mclean was shot in the temple. Buddy McLean was 36 years old.
It was sometime then that Petricone changed his name to Alex Rocco. Ten years later he would be playing a role in the movie "The friends of Eddie Coyle", which was filmed on location in the Boston area. Robert Mitchem was the star and wanted to research the character. Alex was able to accommodate him and he arranged a meeting between Mitchum and the Winter Hill Gang (now led by Howie Winter)
Howie Winter giving Alex Rocco a kiss with Robert Mitchum seated in front.
Rocco went on to play many roles, but the role he will best be remembered for is that of "Moe Green" in the movie "The Godfather.
Rocco as Moe Green
The character was loosely based on many Jewish gangsters but relates mostly to that of Bugsy Siegal.
The old neighborhood never got to know him well (nor wanted to), but his decision to reinvent himself was a remarkable thing. A life changer. Thus, I have to place him in the category of "local guy makes good." Rocco died of cancer in 2015.
Article is LOCKED by author/seeder
Who is online
97 visitors