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My Memories of Johnny

R

Ryan Medeiros

Active Member
My memory of who and what I was begin at my first memories of life.

It began with a dream, a dream I had every night, the details never changing. I was a very small toddler, many will say there's no way an adult can remember memories of being a small child. When they're so heavily imprinted on you though those memories never leave you.

It begins with a person I know is me being driven down a long corral driveway I am seated in the back with a driver and passenger in front. I'm an older gentleman I'm well dressed I'm wearing a nice sports jacket and wraparound dark tinted glasses on my head.

I know I'm in Florida as I'm driven down a long corral driveway there are palm trees on either side of the driveway as we drive there is a body of water in the distance. At the end of the driveway we come to a white sort of bar looking building, the most distinguishing feature is the door to enter. It's like a door you would see in an Old West saloon open space on the top and bottom with two separate doors that meet in the middle. I walk through the door ahead of the men who drove me as I do the dream ends as I know it was then that I was murdered.

As I grew up I started having a strange fascination with a certain subject that really didn't make sense as to why. December 16th 1985 I just turned 8 years old. I'm sitting on the floor of my babysitters living room playing with her daughter while her father watches tv. Suddenly a special report comes on ABC news with Peter Jennings. In midtown Manhattan in front of Sparks Steak House boss of the Gambino Mafia family Paul Castellano is assassinated along with his bodyguard. The word Mafia is spoken my attention goes from the toys I'm playing with to full attention on what's being reported. I don't know how but there's something I know about this word Mafia.

Over the years as a child this is a term I thought about over and over. My uncles wife is full blooded Sicilian and her sister is married to a guy I always called Uncle Frank. There was something about him that I just loved. I'd go to his house as I was close to his daughter the house was a mansion in ground pool, video game room with actual arcade games middle of a weekday Uncle Frank is lounging by the pool working on his tan. One day I ask my Aunt what does Uncle Frank do for a living? Her reply, laughter with her only words oh that Frank. Not long after I asked my mother what is the Mafia? Her answer bad guys who kill people. I knew instinctively that answer wasn't quite right.

Fast forward to the mid to late 90's and I see the movie Goodfellas from that day on I absorbed anything Mafia. Television, movies, books, documentaries it didn't matter I just couldn't get enough. One day I pick up a book at the library called "All American Mafioso" and on the cover I'm staring at the man "me" I continually drempt about as a toddler.

Johnny Roselli is the man I'm staring at and the connection I feel is instantaneous. Reading Johnny's story confirms more and more that this was me. Johnny was murdered in Florida in July of 1976 his body found in an oil drum in Dumbfoundling Bay, I was born about a year later. Johnny grew up with his family in Boston I was born and raised about an hour away in Rhode Island. Reading about the man he was, the way he was just more confirmation that I was Johnny.
 
Hi Ryan,

Welcome aboard, and thanks for an interesting post. I look forward to any memories you can bring to the board from that lifetime. I was born and raised in NE Florida, though we often travelled down to Miami, and Roselli's death took place during my young adulthood. There are many mysteries surrounding his/your death and involvement in attempts to assassinate Castro as well as the assassination of Kennedy. So, I would find anything you can recall on these subjects to be of particular interest.

Cordially,
S&S

PS--have you been able to determine the location (possibly a bar) in the Miami area where the last memory took place?
PPS--Johnny is a fascinating figure. He is definitely "not just a mobster"--but I am not sure how to classify him. Despite (or perhaps including) his interest and involvement in movie making, he almost seems like he would have fit in well among the great, and very dangerous, families of Renaissance Italy.
PPPS--here is an interesting article on his involvement in the movie industry and movie making: https://themobmuseum.org/blog/mob-fixer-johnny-rosselli-is-back-in-the-spotlight/
 
Last edited:
fireflydancing said:
Welcome to the forum, Ryan Medeiros!
That was an impressive read.
I curiously googled John Roselli and I wonder if you are going to open that can of worms or if you'll leave it like it is. :oops:
Click to expand...
The life he led was definitely a whole can full of worms. Lol. Ty for the reply I appreciate it. Research I've done law enforcement never found the location where he was murdered past couple years I've tried looking into finding the location I drempt of just it's been over 45 yrs.
 
SeaAndSky said:
Hi Ryan,

Welcome aboard, and thanks for an interesting post. I look forward to any memories you can bring to the board from that lifetime. I was born and raised in NE Florida, though we often travelled down to Miami, and Roselli's death took place during my young adulthood. There are many mysteries surrounding his/your death and involvement in attempts to assassinate Castro as well as the assassination of Kennedy. So, I would find anything you can recall on these subjects to be of particular interest.

Cordially,
S&S

PS--have you been able to determine the location (possibly a bar) in the Miami area where the last memory took place?
PPS--Johnny is a fascinating figure. He is definitely "not just a mobster"--but I am not sure how to classify him. Despite (or perhaps including) his interest and involvement in movie making, he almost seems like he would have fit in well among the great, and very dangerous, families of Renaissance Italy.
PPPS--here is an interesting article on his involvement in the movie industry and movie making: https://themobmuseum.org/blog/mob-fixer-johnny-rosselli-is-back-in-the-spotlight/
Click to expand...
Ty for your reply. Really interesting that you knew of him & were kinda in the region of his murder. The way I describe Johnny is a sort of modern day pirate. He was an adventurer more than a mobster. He could have been a boss but that wasn't him same as me I've had those opportunities to lead in life but I'd much rather consult and help guide others. Everything with the CIA was insane. Always wanted to do some sort of hypnosis or something to bring out more memories unfortunately it was just the murder I remember.
 
Hi Ryan,

I wish you could remember more about things you passed by on the road on Johnny's final trip. Then it might be possible to track down the location where his death took place. Land is at a premium in Miami and the surrounding areas, so the type of isolated location you describe is unlikely to have survived in the same form this many years later. At this point, the land would almost certainly be developed for dwellings or commercial purposes, or part of some type of public park. The location where his body was found might have been near the location where he was killed, but that is unlikely (to my way of thinking) as I believe your killers would have wanted it to be dumped far away from the location of the murder. But this is all guess-work on my part. Some additional memories would definitely be helpful.

Cordially,
S&S
 
SeaAndSky said:
Hi Ryan,

I wish you could remember more about things you passed by on the road on Johnny's final trip. Then it might be possible to track down the location where his death took place. Land is at a premium in Miami and the surrounding areas, so the type of isolated location you describe is unlikely to have survived in the same form this many years later. At this point, the land would almost certainly be developed for dwellings or commercial purposes, or part of some type of public park. The location where his body was found might have been near the location where he was killed, but that is unlikely (to my way of thinking) as I believe your killers would have wanted it to be dumped far away from the location of the murder. But this is all guess-work on my part. Some additional memories would definitely be helpful.

Cordially,
S&S
Click to expand...
I wish I had more memories than of the murder. The FBI very recently after all these years released the name of who they believe to have been the killer, Frank Shweichs a hit man from Chicago. As far as the building I think the doors would be the way to possibly find the location but after 45 years chances of finding it are probably pretty slim. Like I wrote directly next to & behind the bar in my dream was a large body of water I don't know if this was Dumbfoundling Bay? Think it definitely could have been since the body was put in an oil drum intended to never be found.
 
Hi Ryan:

I searched for 1976 aerial photos of Dumfoundling Bay on Google and found a variety of photos, not necessarily from 1976. However, they do show it as being part of the interconnected bays and waterways typical of Miami. So, it is always possible that the barrel drifted from somewhere else, or was taken from somewhere else (like the bay or waterway where the bar was located) and dumped in Dumfoundling. Given the number of waterways in and around Miami, it would probably have been easy to put the body in a barrel aboard a small cabin cruiser (also common in Miami) and cruise from a bar location on the water in order to dump the barrel at a location less connected with the murder location. Done at night back then it would have been just one more boat cruising the local waters. Anyhow, this is going to be very hard to track.

You might want to order or look up a map of the area and see if anything you see rings a bell. Of course, if you could make the trip you might also see something that triggered a memory. But this is not an area that has stood still--very little of the U.S. has. It may well be vastly different from what Johnny might remember.

Cordially,
S&S
 
SeaAndSky said:
Hi Ryan,

I wish you could remember more about things you passed by on the road on Johnny's final trip. Then it might be possible to track down the location where his death took place. Land is at a premium in Miami and the surrounding areas, so the type of isolated location you describe is unlikely to have survived in the same form this many years later. At this point, the land would almost certainly be developed for dwellings or commercial purposes, or part of some type of public park. The location where his body was found might have been near the location where he was killed, but that is unlikely (to my way of thinking) as I believe your killers would have wanted it to be dumped far away from the location of the murder. But this is all guess-work on my part. Some additional memories would definitely be helpful.

Cordially,
S&S
Click to expand...

SeaAndSky said:
Hi Ryan:

I searched for 1976 aerial photos of Dumfoundling Bay on Google and found a variety of photos, not necessarily from 1976. However, they do show it as being part of the interconnected bays and waterways typical of Miami. So, it is always possible that the barrel drifted from somewhere else, or was taken from somewhere else (like the bay or waterway where the bar was located) and dumped in Dumfoundling. Given the number of waterways in and around Miami, it would probably have been easy to put the body in a barrel aboard a small cabin cruiser (also common in Miami) and cruise from a bar location on the water in order to dump the barrel at a location less connected with the murder location. Done at night back then it would have been just one more boat cruising the local waters. Anyhow, this is going to be very hard to track.

You might want to order or look up a map of the area and see if anything you see rings a bell. Of course, if you could make the trip you might also see something that triggered a memory. But this is not an area that has stood still--very little of the U.S. has. It may well be vastly different from what Johnny might remember.

Cordially,
S&S
Click to expand...
I wish it were possible to get copies of pics of bars or social clubs (as it probably was a social club)along the waterfront back then ik I would recognize the building. Aside the doors being so distinguishing I just rember pure white everything was painted pure white you drive down the driveway the building is straight ahead to the right. Appreciate your interest & looking, wish I'd been to the area maybe feel something. Think I would feel something besides having an obsession with the Mob because of Johnny there are certain people I've read about from Johnny's life & I had pretty strong feelings for a few, Judith Campbell had a strong feeling reading about her same with Sam Giancana like I knew them had positive feelings toward both like they were friends.
 
Hi Ryan,

You could try a regression. Some on the board have very good success using the online regression material on Youtube. And, in the future, you may have the opportunity to talk to an "old timer" from the area (or an area historian), someone who might be able to identify the bar you remember. But you may need to hurry on that one. My generation is on the way out, and Johnny's was a couple of generations before mine.

Cordially,
S&S
 
SeaAndSky said:
Hi Ryan,

You could try a regression. Some on the board have very good success using the online regression material on Youtube. And, in the future, you may have the opportunity to talk to an "old timer" from the area (or an area historian), someone who might be able to identify the bar you remember. But you may need to hurry on that one. My generation is on the way out, and Johnny's was a couple of generations before mine.

Cordially,
S&S
Click to expand...
That's a great idea actually trying to contact a historian in the area. Thanks my friend think I may just do that.
 
Ryan Medeiros said:
I wish I had more memories than of the murder. The FBI very recently after all these years released the name of who they believe to have been the killer, Frank Shweichs a hit man from Chicago. As far as the building I think the doors would be the way to possibly find the location but after 45 years chances of finding it are probably pretty slim. Like I wrote directly next to & behind the bar in my dream was a large body of water I don't know if this was Dumbfoundling Bay? Think it definitely could have been since the body was put in an oil drum intended to never be found
Click to expand...
Looks like there is a very old bar in Florida called Palace Saloon in some place called Fernandina beach, does this ring any bells?
www.oldestbarineverystate.com

Florida - The Palace Saloon

Most of these posts are written by Cheryl and edited and added to by Bruce. Learn more about us on our About us page.
www.oldestbarineverystate.com

AIHG | Amelia Island Hospitality Group | Fernandina Beach Bars

Whether you're in need of a chill day by the beach, a girl's night out, or just a place with good hangs, we have a location for every type of event. Let one of our AIGH locations serve you up a good drink, and a great time.
www.theaihg.com www.theaihg.com
 
truthlove said:
Looks like there is a very old bar in Florida called Palace Saloon in some place called Fernandina beach, does this ring any bells?
www.oldestbarineverystate.com

Florida - The Palace Saloon

Most of these posts are written by Cheryl and edited and added to by Bruce. Learn more about us on our About us page.
www.oldestbarineverystate.com

AIHG | Amelia Island Hospitality Group | Fernandina Beach Bars

Whether you're in need of a chill day by the beach, a girl's night out, or just a place with good hangs, we have a location for every type of event. Let one of our AIGH locations serve you up a good drink, and a great time.
www.theaihg.com www.theaihg.com
Click to expand...
Hi Truthlove,

I live fairly close to Fernandina Beach, and visit from time-to-time. However, Fernandina Beach is on the Northern border of Florida, whereas Miami is around 380 miles (approximately 6 hours at highway speed along I-95) to the South. Johnny was supposedly killed somewhere in the Miami area.

Cordially,
S&S
 
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