Donald Bruce Altieri died suddenly on May 22 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 Bushwacker, The Brickyard Cafe and Uncle Harry’s, all restaurants located in Danbury, Conn., then Bully’s Restaurant and Steakhouse in Ridgefield, Conn., and Jilly’s Italian Restaurant on the Vineyard. These are just a few of the more successful and memorable restaurants he opened over the past 35 years.

He was also 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 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 his 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, unshakable good humor and easy laughter.

A Catholic mass will be held at St. Mary’s Church in Ridgefield, Conn., at 1:15 p.m. on Friday, June 24. A gathering at the Edgartown Lighthouse will be held in his memory on Saturday, June 25, at 4:30 p.m. Directly following the gathering, there will be a procession to Tower Hill in Edgartown for a potluck celebration of his life.