Saladino was born in Rockford, Illinois. His father was Giorgio Saladino, a made member of the Rockford crime family and rumored to have been behind the hit that ended the life of bookmaker Charles Kalb. Frank's brother in law was Rockford crew leader Phil Cannella who was suspected of firing the 'warning' shots that informed Gaspare Calo to give up his boss's seat to [[Joseph Zammu in 1964 along with Joe Saladino (no relation). Following a two year prison sentence for the crime Saladino began working full time for the Rockford crime family as an enforcer and was also listed on Frank Buscemi's payroll while employed at Rondinella Foods, Inc. By the early 1970s, law enforcement intelligence had confirmed he was a 'made member'. Then Saladino took un-traditional route when he began to spend