 Balistrieri had three daughters, Benedetta, Catherine and Tami MacLeod

On December 27, 1961, at a crime family social event in Milwaukee, Balistrieri was installed as the new boss of the Milwaukee family, replacing the retired Alioto.Balistrieri eventually referred to himself as "the most powerful man in Milwaukee" after the "hit" on an acquaintance, August "Augie" Palmisano; Balistrieri was quoted as saying, "He called me a name – to my face – and now they can't find his skin!