Robert Rocco Rado

Robert Rocco Rado was my great-grandfather. He was born in Baragiano, Italy on January 30, 1901 to Rocco and Theresa Rado. He immigrated with his family in 1903. Robert Rocco was married to Emeline Miller. They had three children: Robert, Lorraine, and Lois. Lorraine was my grandmother. Robert Rocco was employed as a business agent for the Laundry and Dye House Drivers Union, according to articles in the Chicago Tribune. At one point, Robert was indicted and stood trial in a racketeering conspiracy trial that was the biggest of it's kind in Chicago at that time. The number one name on the indicted list was Al Capone. All of the indicted persons in that trial were found not guilty. Family stories tell that Robert Rocco worked in some capacity with Al Capone, for which Al Capone gave him one of his infamous diamond studded belts. According to a family member, Capone only gave those belts to his capos/captains. Robert's belt had a diamond encrusted "RRR" on it. When Robert died suddenly at age 36, the family story goes that his wife, Emeline, had to sell the belt to support the children and herself.  Family lore also tells that Robert was a couple blocks from Wrigley Field and called Emeline to tell her he was going to the game.  As they were talking the phone went dead.  His body guard and driver never returned.  Robert was dead of a "heart attack," but the funeral was closed casket.  It is believed he truly died as the result of a hit. 
Apparently Emeline and the children were being "taken care of," but Emeline wanted a different life for her children, so bought a chicken farm and moved them away from the influences of the city.

Robert's grave at All Saint's Cemetery, and obituary follow below:

Below are as follows:  1) The house Robert and Emeline lived in at the time of his death.  2) The Google maps showing the location of his death in proximity to Wrigley Field.  3) The spot listed on his death certificate as his place of death. 

6029 W. Warwick Avenue

Below is a collection of articles I've located in the Chicago Tribune related to Robert and his dealings with the law regarding racketeering and other activities: