John Nardi (January 21, 1916 − May 17, 1977) was an influential associate of the Cleveland crime family who was involved in labor racketeering in Cleveland, Ohio. At the end of his criminal career, Nardi turned against his crime family in a bloody gang war. He was played by Vincent D’Onofrio in the movie “Kill the Irishman”. He was also a friend and associate of Danny Greene which contributed to the attacks on his life.

On May 17, 1977, in Cleveland, a bomb was placed in a car next to Nardi’s vehicle in the rear of the parking lot of the Teamsters Joint Council 41, across from the musicians union. When Nardi left his office and entered into his vehicle, the bomb was detonated by remote control. The impact from the explosion blew away both of Nardi’s legs. According to the book To Kill the Irishman by Rick Porrello, as Nardi was being pulled away from the wreckage, Nardi whispered “It didn’t hurt” in a final act of defiance. He was pronounced dead within minutes.

Police said a red, 1975 Pontiac wired with a high-grade explosive equivalent to 15 sticks of dynamite was parked next to Nardi’s 1976 Oldsmobile 98 in a lot west of the Teamster Union’s Council 41 hall, 2070 E. 22d St. Nardi was secretary-treasurer of the Teamsters’ Vending Machine Local 410, with offices in the hall.

Police think someone watched as Nardi walked through an alley behind the building and approached his car, then detonated the explosive by remote control as the rackets figure stood between the vehicles. Nardi was found, moments after the 3 p.m. blast, by two passersby who heard the explosion. He was lying across the front seat of his car, most of his clothing blown off, his legs shattered. The men pulled Nardi through the blown out passenger window and started cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Moments later Nardi’s brother, Nick A., also a Teamster official in the building, joined them and took over revival attempts until an Emergency Medical Service ambulance arrived. Nardi was taken to St. Vincent Charity Hospital, where he was dead :at 3:27 p.m.

Note: The exact location of Mr. Nardi’s car in the parking lot is currently unknown. If you know, please contact us at sirstoria(at)gmail.com.

Sources – https://www.cleveland.com/pdextra/2011/02/union_boss_nardi_dies_in_bombi.html