Joe McDonald (mobster)
Joseph "Joe Mac" McDonald (1917–1997) was an Irish-American mobster and a charter member of the Winter Hill Gang.
Early life
McDonald was born in 1917 in Somerville, Massachusetts. He was a mix of Irish and Scottish descent.
Winter Hill Gang
McDonald was one of the originators of the Irish/Italian Winter Hill Gang and was a close friend and mentor to mob boss Buddy McLean and Howie Winter. A veteran of World War II, McDonald was a skilled contract killer. Along with twenty-one other associates, including Winter, McDonald was indicted on charges of fixing horse races in 1979. [1] He subsequently went on to be a fugitive in Florida. Later, while on the lam, McDonald and associate, Johnny Martorano, murdered businessman Roger Wheeler in Tulsa, Oklahoma.[2]
Personal life
Joe had one brother, Leo McDonald, who was also a criminal affiliated with the Winter Hill Gang. McDonald died of a stroke in 1997.