Eddie Paradise

Edward 'Eddie' Paradise ("the Turtle" ) pronounced "Paa-raa-dee-say" is a fictional character in the novels "The Godfather Returns" and "The Godfather's Revenge". He is a Sicilian gangster and Corleone "Soldato" under Nick Geraci.

Eddie Paradise grew up in the same neighborhood as friend as fellow "Soldato", Cosimo 'Momo' Barone. He was 'made' after Nick Geraci took over the "regime" of Salvatore Tessio. He was recognized as a tough enforcer for the family.

Paradise got his nickname, 'the turtle', as in "slow and steady wins the race". He was a very slow man in his life physically. Eddie and Nick Geraci were also very good friends and got along well. After Geraci's disposal in 1962, Eddie became the junior "caporegime" in the family. He was chosen over 'Momo' Barone, an event that came back to haunt Michael Corleone.

He was never put in charge in the effort to locate Geraci, instead to keep an eye on Barone. In 1963, he was put in charge of a commission meeting on his territory, the BQE expressway. After the police came away to take away Tom Hagen, everybody blamed Paradise for the misfortune. He was known to have many misfortunes happen to him.

In 1964, Geraci was lured to a meeting that he thought would make him the boss of the Corleone family. It was an ambush, as Eddie was forced to kill Geraci, and a cowardly Momo Barone. Paradise got his reputation back after this and was respected by the family again.