Guccia was born in Castellamare Del Golfo, Sicily. Guccia was a skilled mechanic and allegedly became associated with mob boss Joseph Barbara while working as a handyman on his estate, he had a lengthy criminal record and is known for being the only non-made member of the mafia present at the infamous Apalachin Conference of mob bosses from across the United States in 1957. His arrest record dated back to 1916 and included; possession of revolver, breaking and entering, bootlegging and murder. Guccia was a bootlegger during Prohibition and was closely associated with Endicott area mafiosi.