Collinwood's riveting history, and the author who preserved It

Rick Porrello didn’t write because he necessarily wanted to, he wrote because he had to. Generations of untold stories caught up with him, and it was his job to finally put them on paper. His grandfather died before he ever got to know him, and it wasn’t until Porrello grew up that he discovered why his death was never discussed.

“Nobody talked about it,” he said. “But I was curious.” The more he researched the more he discovered the weight behind his family’s name. He soon began to realize that his grandfather and great uncles were killed by Cleveland’s mafia. This is when he knew it had to be documented into a book.

Cleveland’s organized crime history begins during prohibition when the fight for corn sugar was rampant. It was the easiest sugar to ferment into alcohol, and therefore, the most coveted. Collinwood is a landmark location because of its placement right on the lake, just across from Canada where illegal goods could be brought into the city. Homemade distilleries in the basements or attics of Collinwood homes were also part of surviving prohibition. During snowy winters, authorities could identify those making liquor in their attics by the melted snow on the roof. 

Organized crime continued into the 70’s even though the fight for corn sugar was no longer an issue. “There is always someone who wants to be in charge,” Porrello said. Danny Greene was no exception to this, where his goal was to be liked by everyone. He gave away turkeys to the needy on holidays or paid the tuition of young girls wanting to attend Villa Angela. Though his attempts may have seemed unselfish, they were acts to gain people’s trust. As president of the worker’s union, he had the opportunity to be in charge.

Throughout all three of Porrello’s books, the story of Cleveland’s organized crime history is thrilling, especially to realize what went on in our own backyards. There is more to come in next month’s issue on this tale of Collinwood’s riveting history.