Joseph Manfredini
Joseph “Joe” Manfredini
JOSEPH “JOE” MANFREDINI was born in Italy in 1882. He came to America in 1912, and after running a business in Virginia, came to Camden in 1916. He moved to 306 Federal Street, operating a tavern there from that date until his passing in 1947.
Joe Manfredini also rented rooms. One of his roomers was Neil Jensen, who served in the Merchant Marine and was lost when torpedoed while serving aboard a tanker during World War II.
Joe Manfredini was fatally stricken in his bar on his 65th birthday in 1947. Taken to Cooper Hospital in a coma, he passed away shortly thereafter, and was buried at Calvary Cemetery in what was then Delaware Township (present-day Cherry Hill) NJ, where he rests next to his wife Josephine, who joined him in 1958.
Frank Vari operated the bar during the mid-1950s. In 1958 Frank Palermo acquired the bar, which operated as the Mid City Bar through February of 1970, when the owner sold the building to the Housing Authority of the City of Camden, which was acquiring property in the area for redevelopment. The building that housed the Manfredini bar was razed to make room for an urban renewal project in Camden that never was fulfilled. The address at 306 Federal Street is now part of the site of the Camden County Jail.
Cafe Window Breaker Escapes Pursuers
Camden Courier-Post —
A “moocher” who was ordered from the cafe of Joseph Manfredini, 306 Federal Street, last night returned to kick in the plate glass window of the door.
According to Manfredini, the man demanded money and became angered when it was refused. After breaking the window he disappeared west on Taylor Avenue.
Pedestrians said they heard a pistol shot as the man turned into Taylor Avenue. Manfredini said he did not know whether the man had fired at his pursuers. He said several persons chased the window-breaker, who escaped.
Manfredini Fined $200 for Betting
Camden Courier-Post —
Cafe Man Insists He Was Merely Phoning Own Wager, Will File Appeal
Joseph Manfredini, a saloonkeeper of 304 Federal street, was fined $200 yesterday by Police Judge Lewis Liberman for violating the local gambling law. He pleaded not guilty to a charge of placing bets on horse racing.
Manfredini was arrested by Lieut. George Frost, who testified he found the saloonkeeper at the telephone with a slip of paper upon which was written the names of several race horses. Frost said Manfredini was phoning them to a bookmaker.
Manfredini said he was merely telephoning his own bet. He insisted, through his attorney, that he had a right to use his own telephone for this purpose.
City Prosecutor John H. Reiners, Jr., then held up the paper seized as evidence and asked Manfredini to write the same inscriptions on another piece of paper. The court then compared the two and found that the wording on the first paper was not in Manfredini’s writing.
Judge Liberman then decided that the evidence proved that Manfredini was not calling to place his own bet, but was acting as an agent. The man’s attorney filed notice of an appeal.
Manfredini Saloon Padlocked 15 Days
Camden Courier-Post —
Alcohol Control Board Issues Order After Horse Race Sheets Are Found
Joseph Manfredini, saloon operator of 306 Federal Street, must close the doors of his place for the next fifteen days by order of the Municipal Alcoholic Beverage Control.
The decree was issued last night after a hearing on charges made by state ABC agents.
Agents charged they raided Manfredini’s place January 10 and discovered a box containing $23 and two horse race sheets.
In placing the ban on the saloon, John J. Morrissey, chairman, declared the board also considered a conviction against the saloon operator last year, when he was fined $200 on charges of violating a section of a city ordinance.
James J. Daly, of 800 Linden Street, charged by state agents with having a bottle of liquor in his bar-room which did not comply with contents noted on the label, was dismissed and placed on probation for the remainder of the current license year.
Daly, who has been in the saloon business here for 33 years, said contents of the bottle in question was for his own personal use and had been diluted because he was unable to drink liquor of high alcoholic proof.
‘Joe’ Manfredini Succumbs at 65
Camden Courier-Post — 1947
Joseph “Joe” Manfredini, well-known Camden cafe owner, died in Cooper hospital last night. He was stricken suddenly Wednesday at his cafe, 306 Federal street.
Mr. Manfredini was taken ill while preparing to take an afternoon nap. He was in a coma when first removed to the hospital and immediately was placed in an oxygen tent. He did not regain consciousness.
A native of Italy, Mr. Manfredini came to this country about 35 years ago and after operating a business in Virginia for several years, moved to Camden where he remained at the one address until his death. He was a member of Division 5, New Jersey Licensed Beverage Association.
Mr. Manfredini succumbed on his sixty-fifth birthday anniversary. He is survived by his widow, Josephine, and two sons. Relatives and friends will meet Monday at 9:30 a.m. in the funeral home of Joseph H. Murray, 305 Cooper street. Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.
Calvary Cemetery
Calvary Cemetery, Route 70, Cherry Hill, NJ — Joseph Manfredini