Don Tommasino

Don Lionele Tommasino is a fictional character from The Godfather series of books and films.

In the Godfather universe

Novel and first two films

Tommasino is an old friend of Vito Corleone from Vito's native village of Corleone, Sicily. By the 1920s, he has become a top-ranking soldier in the local Mafia family, headed by Don Ciccio. As Vito's Genco Olive Oil Company--the front for his criminal activities--expanded its operations, Vito cut a deal in which he would distribute Tommasino's olive oil in the United States.

When Vito returned to Sicily to kill Don Ciccio and avenge the deaths of his parents and brother, Tommasino assists him in his scheme. They went to Ciccio's home, ostensibly to get his blessing for their venture. They succeeded in killing Ciccio, but in the midst of their escape, Tommasino is hit by a blast from a lupara shotgun, fired by one of Ciccio's bodyguards, and is shown sitting in a wheelchair as Vito and his family leave by train. Tommasino succeeds Ciccio as the local Mafia chieftain of the town of Corleone, and would remain one of the Corleone family's strongest allies for almost half a century.

When Vito's son Michael Corleone murders drug lord Virgil Sollozzo and corrupt NYPD captain McCluskey in the mid 1940s, he is immediately dispatched to Sicily and placed under Tommasino's care; Tommasino ensures that Michael is kept safe from both the police and the Corleone family's enemies. By this time, Tommasino is able to pull himself upright while leaning on the door of his car. Shortly after the death of Michael's older brother, Sonny, Tommasino gets word that the rival Barzini family now knows Michael is hiding in Corleone and is now after him. Tommasino has Michael move to a villa in Syracuse, on the other side of the island. However, one of Michael's bodyguards, Fabrizio, is bought off by the Barzinis and attempts to assassinate Michael with a car bomb, killing Michael's new wife, Apollonia, instead. After this, Tommasino and Vito decide that Sicily has become too dangerous for Michael, and begin the process of moving him back to the United States. Despite this unfortunate incident, Tommasino maintains a close friendship with the Corleones.

The Godfather Part III

In 1980, Michael returns to Sicily to seek the elderly Tommasino's advice about making contacts in the Vatican, in order to aid in his takeover of the Italian conglomerate Immobiliare. By this time, Tommasino is so frail he has to be lifted to and from chairs and car seats.

However, that same year, Tommasino is assassinated by the hitman Mosca, who had been hired by Don Altobello and Licio Lucchesi to kill Michael. Mosca had disguised himself as a Roman Catholic priest and was walking down the road with an associate of his who was dressed similarly. Tommasino pulled up in his car and offered Mosca a ride, but instantly recognized him for who he was. His cover blown, Mosca threatened Tommasino to help him to kill Michael Corleone. When Tommasino refused, Mosca shot Tommasino dead with a lupara hidden in his robe.

Tommasino's bodyguard, Calo, calls for revenge and sides with Michael. Soon afterward, Michael's successor, Vincent Corleone, orders Calo to visit Don Lucchesi at his home. He whispers a final message: "Power wears out those who don't have it", and kills him, seconds later, Calo is killed by Lucchesi's henchman.

Portrayals

Three different actors have played Tommasino in the three feature films. In The Godfather, as a middle-aged man, he was portrayed by Corrado Gaipa. In The Godfather Part II, a much younger Tommasino was portrayed by Mario Cotone. And in The Godfather Part III, as an elderly man, he was portrayed by Vittorio Duse.