If Aunt Clara liked you, you could do no wrong in her eyes. If she gave someone a hard time, it was because she did not care for the person too much. In her words to me, she loved Joe and Tore Gagliano, Willie Messino, Sr, Joe B (Anthony Accardo, Sr.), Joe Aiuppa, Charlie Nicosia, Jack ‘Romie’ Nappi, Rich (and Judy) Penachio, John DiFronzo, Joe Lombardo, Joe Andriacchi, Gerry Magnafichi, Rudy Fratto, Sr (not the tax evader/extortionist) and me. Of course, I do not have to mention her immediate family, as she loved every single one of them with every bit of her beautiful heart. All of us that knew Clara well will always have a little of her inside of us.
Her husband’s tremendous power allowed her to hob-nob with the cream of society. She was at home in the most fascinating and glamorous social circles, including the Rat Pack, Bob Hope and scores of other high profile entertainers. Her nimble mind and sharp wit meant she was never at a loss among these giants of American culture.
Clara and I were as close as a mother and son. In fact, she told me stories that she swore she never told her own son. Out of respect for my late friend and second mother, I will take those stories to my grave.
One day in the year 2002, while I was having something to eat with Clara at her Inverness home, I became aware of a visit that she received from FBI Special Agent Andrew Hickey. He was curious about what she remembered the night of Rich Penachio’s death. The all business suit and tie Fed was not aware of what a comical person Aunt Clara could be. She asked Agent Hickey if he earned his name from kissing girls on the neck when he was in high school. Needless to say the FBI Agent was left flat-footed. Later on Aunt Clara told me of the information she failed to divulge to Hickey, some of which I found to be extremely startling. Nonetheless, I am confident that justice will prevail some day.
It is one of my great regrets that I could not be with Aunt Clara at the end of her life. I became estranged before she passed away, due to the legal problems between her son and me. Of all the vindictive things her son has done to me, preventing me from saying goodbye to my second mother has certainly hurt me the most.
The Outfit’s Rose, Clara Cerone, was a beautiful person, inside and out. Rest in peace Aunt Clara (1917-2008).
15 Comments
I have just read one of the most sweetest articles of all time.
I grew up in Elmwood Park, Illinois and remember seeing Clara Cerone in different restaurants. I always wanted to talk to her but I was told by others not to bother her. I always wondered what it was like to be her.
Fosco, I think you are full of shit! You were never close to the Cerones!
Dear John,
Please watch your language, I run a respectable internet magazine. As to your accusation that I am pretending that I was close with Clara Cerone, please visit the following link:
http://www.ktfmediagroup.com/joefosco/filing2/Second%20Day%20Of%20Trial/slides/Second%20Day%20Of%20Trial_Page_30.html
You will find an official court transcript containing the sworn testimony of Clara Cerone’s son, Jack P. Cerone, Esquire. His testimony will show that I have traveled out of town to visit Clara Cerone, which I have several times. I believe this should satisfy your suspicions.
On behalf of KTF Media Group, I thank you for your readership.
Sincerely,
Joseph Fosco
Joe…a friend of mine in high school date Jackie’s daughter. But her name was Jackie, not Jill. Could this be the same person? I truly enjoy this website!
Dear Mike,
Jackie (the lawyer) Cerone has 4-daughters. Each of them was born between the early to mid 1960’s. None of them is named Jackie. From oldest to youngest you have Debbie (or Debby), Gina, Jill and Carla. His adopted son was born in 1972 is named John, but everyone calls him Jackie. The family resided in Barrington, Illinois during their high school days. I hope this information helps you.
Joe…I meant Jackie The Lackey’s daughter, not the lawyer.
Dear Mike,
Yes, old man Jack Cerone’s daughter is named Jill, not Jackie.
Joe, I never really read this article until now. This was a beautiful article and I commend your sensitivities. Very well written and heart felt. Does Clara Cerone have a sister or cousin living in Las Vegas or somehere out west? Would the husband of this female relative have the first name of ‘Jim’?
Dear The Don,
Jack Cerone, Esq., Joe Lombardo, John DiFronzo and I have a bond. We love and miss Clara. She loved me as a son and I loved her as a second mother. All of Clara’s siblings are deceased as far as I can recall. No one from out west rings a bell.
Joe, refresh my memory–how did you come to associate with Esq., initially? Was it something that happened after your dad died and you started becoming acquainted with those people who were part of his Outfit life?
Dear Merlin,
Jack was a friend of my parents. I had limited exposure to him during my father’s life, mainly due to my young age. In my early 20s, my dear friend Willie Messino (who grew up with my family on Taylor Street) had caused the reconnection between Jack and me. Shortly after our reconnection, Jackie pulled me on the side and told me that I “come from good stock” and that he wanted me under his wing. The rest is history.
Dear Merlin,
If you are wondering about my explanation that Clara taught young children how to dance, yes, I was one of her students; however, I was not a young child when she gave me lessons. I apologize for not clarifying it better. My relationship with Aunt Clara was around 7 or 8-years in the making before Jack (her son) caused it to end. We continued with our friendship for a while behind his back because she knew that he wronged me, but he eventually figured out that we were getting together. Sadly, she called me one day to tell me that her son struck her, twisting her arm because he discovered that we went to Dr. Giacchino’s wedding together. She had to go to the emergency room because of it. In fact, I reported (anonymously) it to the Public Guardian; however, she must have covered for him because nothing ever became of it.
Jack Junior must have learned that behavior from his father. I heard some of those kinds of stories that supposedly occured between Clara & Jack Senior.
Any relative named Marlene Cerone?