John Sciandra

John Sciandra (born Giovanni Sciandra, ; April 10, 1899 – September 11, 1949) was an Italian-American crime boss of the Bufalino crime family of Pennsylvania from 1933 until 1949.

Early life Sciandra was born on April 10, 1899, in Montedoro, Sicily, to Angelo and Leonarda La Porta Sciandra. With his parents and siblings, Andrew, James and Pasqualina, he immigrated to the United States in April 1908, settling in Buffalo, New York. In 1921, he moved to Pittston, Pennsylvania, References to John Sciandra as the brother of Carolyn Bufalino are to a different John Sciandra.

Sciandra married Josephine Mancino and had three sons, Joseph, John Jr. and Angelo, and one daughter.

Criminal career The Bufalino crime family had four very powerful members who pulled all the strings, including Santo Volpe, Angelo Polizzi, Joseph "Joe the Barber" Barbara and Sciandra. In 1933, after being questioned about his possible involvement in the murder of Samuel Wichner, Santo Volpe appointed John Sciandra as boss of the crime family and quietly worked behind the scenes within the family while also devoting more attention to legitimate business. Polizzi became consigliere, maintaining this role before moving to Detroit and getting involved in organized crime in that city.

Death Sciandra died of natural causes on September 11, 1949. He is buried in Denison Cemetery, Swoyersville, Pennsylvania.