Lonardo was born in 1911 in Cleveland to Joseph and Concetta Lonardo. His godfather was Anthony Milano. His father Joseph and his brothers dominated bootlegging in Cleveland during Prohibition until they came into conflict with their ex-allies, the Porrello brothers. After his father was murdered by a member of the Porrello crime family in 1929, 18 year old Angelo swore revenge and murdered Salvatore Todaro with his cousin Dominic Sospirato. Lonardo was tried and sentenced to life in prison. However, his lawyer was able to get a second trial and he was discharged and released. He later joined Milano's brother Frank Milano in the Cleveland crime family.