By Rebecca Goodman
The Cincinnati Enquirer

COLERAIN TOWNSHIP - Donald J. Bloomfield, manager of three of Cincinnati's Mobil 3-star restaurants during the 1960s, '70s and '80s, died Sunday at the hospice at Mercy Franciscan Western Hills. The Colerain Township resident was 81.

Mr. Bloomfield managed The Sovereign, which is now Primavista, in Price Hill; Johnny Bench's Home Plate, which was in Colerain Township; and Dockside VI Seafood Restaurant, which was in Norwood.

"As a restaurateur, he was a perfectionist but an extremely personable one," said his daughter Maureen Bloomfieldof Northside.

Born in Cleveland in 1922, Mr. Bloomfield graduated from Ohio Military Institute in College Hill and attended Ohio University before serving with the Army Medical Corps. in Australia and New Zealand during World War II.

He owned the Stork Grille in Cleveland during the 1940s. His family also owned nightclubs in St. Petersburg Beach, Fla. There he owned a men's clothing store, sold real estate and managed a resort called the Port-O-Call.

He moved to Cincinnati in 1967 to become manager of The Sovereign in the Queen's Tower.

"A born storyteller, he exemplified the Irish gifts of dry humor and festive hospitality," his daughter said. "After retiring from the restaurant business, he enjoyed traveling - especially to Ireland - and walking with my mother, to whom he was devoted.."

In addition to his daughter, survivors include his wife of 57 years, Mary Rita Malloy Bloomfield; another daughter, Patricia Peterson of Oak Hills; sons Kevin of St. Louis, and Brian of Anchorage, Alaska; and six grandchildren.

The wake is 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at Hodapp Funeral Home, 6041 Hamilton Ave. in College Hill. Mass of Christian burial is 10 a.m. Thursday at Little Flower Church, 5560 Kirby Ave. in Mount Airy.

Burial will be at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.