NY NY - Saugerties, WhtMale 35-45, 405UMNY, PJs under suit, Omega Sea Master watch, ring, Feb'70

[Keiri]

Name: Gil Demelo Leite[Gil Leite]
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birth Date: 19 Jun 1931
Birth Place: San Miguel, Portugal
Death Date: Dec 1968
Father: Gil A Leite
Mother: Elvida Demelo

If this is him (right age) they must have had him declared dead for the last time they saw him. This gives where he would have been from.

 

[Keiri]

I don't think it's the same Gil, he was just listed as missing from 1969. The obit reads Gil died in 2004. WOndering what he was doing for 2 years the case reads: Circumstances of DisappearanceGil Leite was reported missing by his wife on 12-15-1968. He was last seen in Hartford, CT on 12-11-1968 or 12-12-1968 (at a bar called "Barn") but it's possible he returned to Bloomfield after that. Leite has had no contact with family or any activity since the date he went missing.

I think it should be reported as a match.

The obit says the WIFE died in 2004.

This is his wife.

 

[Keiri]

This was his aunt. Mary L. Fonseca - Wikipedia Says his grandfather owned a shop in Fall River mass (I’ve traced the family there before ct). His dad was Gil sr. Looks like even though his wife had him declared dead, in 1978 she officially divorced him. Then, after that she always listed herself a widow. Very strange, but I guess state bureaucrats can be annoying. If we are looking at mafia angles, patriarca family is the one to consider.

 

[PatLaurel]

This was his aunt. Mary L. Fonseca - Wikipedia Says his grandfather owned a shop in Fall River mass (I’ve traced the family there before ct). His dad was Gil sr. Looks like even though his wife had him declared dead, in 1978 she officially divorced him. Then, after that she always listed herself a widow. Very strange, but I guess state bureaucrats can be annoying. If we are looking at mafia angles, patriarca family is the one to consider.

It's interesting that you mention the Patriarca Family because, every time i see the latest sketch of our JD, i always think of Joseph Barboza aka Joe "The Animal" Barboza. Maybe it's just me but i see some resemblances. By the time our JD was found, Joe Barbosa was under witness protection. I often wonder if JB and the JD were partners in crime or relatives and it was a case of "tell us where he is or you...".

MOO JMOO

 

[Keiri]

It's interesting that you mention the Patriarca Family because, every time i see the latest sketch of our JD, i always think of Joseph Barboza aka Joe "The Animal" Barboza. Maybe it's just me but i see some resemblances. By the time our JD was found, Joe Barbosa was under witness protection. I often wonder if JB and the JD were partners in crime or relatives and it was a case of "tell us where he is or you...".

MOO JMOO

Yeah I can see the resemblance too. And the animal was also Portuguese.

 

[Betty P]

Wow, interesting thread. I think you two are on to something with this. It will be interesting to see if LE checks it out.

The victim is dressed like a regular businessman, but who executes a normal businessman in the middle of winter, then dumps his body out in the country? I wonder why LE in Saugerties didn't make the connection, especially if there was some real estate in the area owned by organized crime members?

WRT the "galoshes", I think they might have been referring to "rubbers" the term used back in the day. There was a type worn by businessmen that only fit over the bottom part of the shoe, keeping water from seeping in. My husband used to wear them. They blend in with the shoe color and materials.

Tingley 1000 Commuter | Rubber Overshoes | Rogan's Shoes

 

[Betty P]

This recent news is also interesting. It turns out Carmine Persico, who owned a horse farm in Saugerties, NY was known for betraying his allies. Turns out in 1971, he became a government informant. Interesting timing. Could it be that federal agents connected him to the murder of this man, forcing him to cut a deal and become an informant?

NYC mob boss Carmine ‘the Snake’ Persico was ‘Top Echelon Informant,’ papers reveal

Colombo crime family boss Carmine “The Snake” Persico was a “Top Echelon Informant” for the feds, shocking new court papers reveal, adding a posthumous twist to the tale of an infamous gangster known for his ruthlessness and street smarts.

The revelation, which likely has implications for numerous Brooklyn mob cases, is contained in a government document from November 1971 listing members of a “Top Echelon Informant Program.” Persico’s name appears among those of four turncoat members of the Colombo family.

“I think it changes the entire dynamic of how this so-called Colombo war has been sold,” said attorney David Schoen, who submitted the document Wednesday in a Brooklyn Federal Court filing.

“I never wanted to disclose this document. I think it potentially puts people in danger.”​

Would he have a reason to kill someone from the Patriarca crime family? According to Wikipedia, the Patriarca family leaders were including in the famous Apalachin Meeting in upstate NY in 1957. That was the meeting of all the crime families that was busted by federal agents.

Longtime Colombo family boss Carmine "The Snake" Persico dead at 85 ~ Five Families of New York City

At the height of his power, from the early 1960s to the mid-’80s, Mr. Persico, neatly attired in a suit and tie, roamed Brooklyn, particularly the Carroll Gardens, Red Hook, Park Slope and Bensonhurst sections. Slightly built at 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighing about 150 pounds, he was usually accompanied by his favorite sidekick and bodyguard, Hugh McIntosh, a 6-foot-4 mobster with a frame like a tree trunk.
When he was not in Brooklyn, Mr. Persico could usually be found on the Blue Mountain Manor Horse Farm, his 59-acre spread with a nine-bedroom house in Saugerties, N.Y., about 100 miles north of New York City. A police raid at the farm in 1972 uncovered a stockpile of about 50 rifles and shotguns and 40 bombs."

BBM
​

 

[Keiri]

I doubt this case had anything to do with persico flipping or we’d know who this guy is. Also, I don’t think persico flipped. I read the daily news’ source material - persico was the target, not the informant. I read the whole thing and I’m a lawyer - somebody is lying. This doesn’t support the position that persico informed. https://vault.fbi.gov/gregory-scarpa-sr/gregory-scarpa-sr-part-08-of-08

 

[carbuff]

This was his aunt. Mary L. Fonseca - Wikipedia Says his grandfather owned a shop in Fall River mass (I’ve traced the family there before ct). His dad was Gil sr. Looks like even though his wife had him declared dead, in 1978 she officially divorced him. Then, after that she always listed herself a widow. Very strange, but I guess state bureaucrats can be annoying. If we are looking at mafia angles, patriarca family is the one to consider.

Lots of Portuguese and Azorean immigrants live in the Fall River-New Bedford area. Originally mostly fisher folk who came here before the Revolutionary War.

 

[PatLaurel]

Lots of Portuguese and Azorean immigrants live in the Fall River-New Bedford area. Originally mostly fisher folk who came here before the Revolutionary War.

Just a correction, “Azorean” are Portuguese. Same with the people from Madeira Island. We are all Portuguese.
Most of the “fisher folks” who went to that area were from Azores and Madeira Island but also from from Porto and Aveiro, two districts in continental Portugal.

MOO JMOO

 

[PatLaurel]

Yeah I can see the resemblance too. And the animal was also Portuguese.

Joe Barboza had two brothers. I couldn’t find his obit anywhere, but I know one of his brothers asked the priest for the eulogy to be in Portuguese. I’m wondering about the other brother?
MOO JMOO

 

[Keiri]

For what it’s worth, Gil still has a daughter living and it would be nice to tell her why her dad disappeared.

 

[PatLaurel]

Wow, interesting thread. I think you two are on to something with this. It will be interesting to see if LE checks it out.



WRT the "galoshes", I think they might have been referring to "rubbers" the term used back in the day. There was a type worn by businessmen that only fit over the bottom part of the shoe, keeping water from seeping in. My husband used to wear them. They blend in with the shoe color and materials.

Tingley 1000 Commuter | Rubber Overshoes | Rogan's Shoes

SBM & BBM
That’s probably what he was wearing but I find the shoes’ width too narrow… it looks like he was just wearing shoes and probably spats as I previously mentioned.

MOO JMOO

 

[Keiri]

This just gets more and more interesting. Gil worked at the blue bell mattress company. In sept 1969, after he “left” but before he was found dead, the place went up in flames in a “suspicious fire.” He didn’t own the place, but weird. If he was a truck driver, which they did have, that’s a good connection. Otherwise I don’t know. He just seems so ordinary. I wonder if he got into gambling or something.

 

[LucyOso]

Hopefully they can do DNA tracing on him.

 

[carbuff]

Just a correction, “Azorean” are Portuguese. Same with the people from Madeira Island. We are all Portuguese.
Most of the “fisher folks” who went to that area were from Azores and Madeira Island but also from from Porto and Aveiro, two districts in continental Portugal.

MOO JMOO

Sorry I was vague. I was trying to be as general as possible because I know there are a very wide variety of backgrounds for people living in the area.

 

[madamx]

Bumping

 

[adriaticnyc]

Lots of Portuguese and Azorean immigrants live in the Fall River-New Bedford area. Originally mostly fisher folk who came here before the Revolutionary War.

Good morning, I am in the NYC metro area. I knew the late Mrs Leite very well, and her daughter from 1975-1995.

This story of Gil's disappearance was very painful to both Mrs. Leite and her daughter.

 

[adriaticnyc]

For what it’s worth, Gil still has a daughter living and it would be nice to tell her why her dad disappeared.

Yes, a daughter, two granddaughters and two great-grandchildren. But I caution you: this is painful........ diplomacy is essential. Mrs. Leite gave me an extra copy of Gil's 1950s passport photo (extra) in 1983 during one of my visits to her home.

Gil's disappearance was traumatic for both wife and daughter.

Been to Fall River and grew to love the Azorean customs from Mrs. Leite. She was an amazing lady who was beloved in her neighborhood and Portuguese community.

Question: how does Brooklyn's Red Hook/Carroll Gardens/Buttermilk Channel fit into this missing person story of Gil Leite? My late husband's maternal grandparents settled there more than a century ago, and paternal grandparents moved from South Norwalk CT to that part of Brooklyn. I know that neighborhood area very well - even now in 2022. My late husband spent his early youth in that part of Brooklyn, even though it's NYC there is a close knit feeling. Just like in Connecticut!

But back to Gil Leite: he was 37 when he was reported missing in December 1968. That is so young!

 

[adriaticnyc]

@victoriarobinson642 - The photo does look like Gil Leite.

FYI, his late wife (Mrs Leite) was in emotional turmoil after the disappearance. She shared much info about Gil's disappearance including the vehicle he owned - a Chrysler product (Mopar) with fins (late 1950s-early 1960s) from the CT State Police investigation and her near decade angst at legally declaring him deceased, then filing litigation in Superior Court. Not easy.

The late Mrs. Leite was a "mentor" to me and shared part of the story from 1967-1983. It was painful for her and daughter. Hearing her account of Gil going missing still pains me inside.

The Chrysler (Mopar) vehicle was found abandoned near Hartford CT after Gil's disappearance. Mrs. Leite described the abandoned car as "no trace" of him. Trust me, this is still a sensitive loss for the family, and Gil's abandonment happened right before Christmas. Maybe Gil was kidnapped? I cannot surmise, but in 2021 Forensics has DNA.

It's a decision for the surviving daughter to undergo DNA testing. FBI and DOJ would know where to locate her in CT, and approach Mrs. Leite's survivng daughter for DNA test consent.