Donald Alfonse Bellezza

Donald Alfonse Bellezza, age 82, passed away on July 24, 2024, surrounded by his loving family in Westfield, NJ. Born in Orange, NJ, Donald grew up in Glen Ridge, NJ, with his younger brother Robert. He was the son of Anthony and Florence Bellezza, after her passing, Kay Bellezza.

Donald graduated from Glen Ridge High School and earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Boston College. Following his graduation, he enlisted in the US Navy and graduated from Officer’s Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island. During his distinguished naval career, he achieved the rank of Lieutenant Commander and served in the Vietnam War, later continuing his service in the Naval Reserves.

After completing his active duty, Donald embarked on a successful career in finance on Wall Street. He became a recognized expert in municipal bonds, ultimately retiring in 2018 as Senior Vice President in Private Wealth Management at Morgan Stanley after more than 50 years on “the Street”.

Donald and his beloved wife, Elizabeth Stoll, initially lived in Manhattan before settling in Mountainside, NJ, where they raised their three children. An accomplished woodworker and true craftsman, Donald took great pride in building furniture for his homes in New Jersey and Vermont. One of his proudest creations was the impressive dry rock wall bordering the front perimeter of his Mountainside property, hand-constructed from hundreds of locally harvested rocks over three years. He was also a passionate fly fisherman and active member of Hacklebarney Trout Unlimited that regularly participated in river preservation projects.

Donald is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, and their three children: Audrey and her husband Michael Pierantozzi, along with their two sons Barrett and Declan; Veronica and her husband Michael Gardes, and their daughter Meadow; and Philip and his wife Yana Trushina.

The family will receive friends and relatives at Higgins and Bonner Funeral Home on Monday, July 29th, from 4-7 pm. A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, July 30th, at 10:00 am at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Mountainside, NJ. A private burial will follow in Jersey City, NJ.

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