Joseph Charles Bonanno (January 18, 1905 – May 11, 2002) was an Italian-American crime boss of the Bonanno crime family of New York City, which he ran between 1931 and 1968.

Joseph Bonanno was born in Castellammare del Golfo, Sicily, where his father was also involved in organized crime. At early age he emigrated to New York with his family to became one of the youngest-ever Mafia bosses at age 26.

In 1968 Joseph Bonanno was forced into retirement after his plot failed to assassinate several rivals on The Commission, the governing body of the American Mafia.

On May 11th, 2002, Joseph Bonanno died of natural causes in Tucson, Arizona at the age of 97.

In the movie Bonanno; A Godfather's Story, he is portrayed by actor Martin Landau and in the TV series Godfather of Harlem by Chazz Palminteri. He also served as a composite inspiration for the character of Vito Corleone in the movie The Godfather.

Joseph Bonanno United States Certificate of Naturalization

PROVENANCE

Daughter-in-law Rosalie Bonanno assisted in Joseph Bonanno his care until his death in 2002 at the age of 97. In 2004 his estate was sold off and the Certificate of Naturalization was acquired by the curator of the OCA collection.

Notarized provenance letter Joseph Bonanno U.S. Certificate of Naturalization.