Donald Bruce Altieri died suddenly on May 22, 2011, at age 54. He was born on March 24, 1957, to Grace and Michael Altieri.
Growing up with his brother, Michael, he went to schools in Ridgefield, Conn., and graduated from Ridgefield High School with the Class of 1975.
A business entrepreneur, he started working in his first restaurant, The Olde York Pub, in Ridgefield at age 18. Later he was involved with the following restaurants: The Bushwacker, The Brickyard Café, and Uncle Harry’s, all located in Danbury, Conn., then Bully’s Restaurant & Steakhouse in Ridgefield and Jilly’s Italian Restaurant on Martha’s Vineyard. These are just a few of the more successful and memorable restaurants he opened over the past 35 years. In addition to the restaurants, he was a vice president of a bank in Bethel, Conn., and a real estate developer.
Donald was a man of many talents, but chiefly, a passionate people’s person. Over the years he was often involved in giving time or money to philanthropic events. He is survived by his brother, Michael Altieri, in Florida; his four children, Kyle, Korrine, Daniel, and Jaime; a grandson, Mikah; and former wives Karen Altieri and Ellen Burdick-O’Brien. Many loved and cared deeply for Donald, and he will be sorely missed for his big heart, unshakeable good humor, and easy laughter.
A Catholic Mass will be held at St. Mary’s Church, Ridgefield, Conn., at 1:15 pm, Friday, June 24. Also, a gathering at the Edgartown Lighthouse will be held in memory of Donald Altieri on Saturday, June 25, at 4:30 pm. Directly following the gathering, there will be a procession to Tower Hill in Edgartown for a potluck life celebration in honor of Donald.
