Here is what Wikipedia says about Altobello, but I think it incorporates some of the Winegardner material into his backstory. FWIW:

Quote:
Osvaldo "Ozzie" Altobello is a fictional character and the primary antagonist of the film The Godfather Part III. He also appears in the novels The Godfather Returns and The Godfather's Revenge. In the film, he is portrayed by Eli Wallach.
He is an aging gangster and longstanding ally of the Corleone crime family. He was the consigliere of Rico Tattaglia from 1955 to 1961, and becomes the don of the Tattaglia crime family in 1962. By the time of Godfather III, he has become a close friend and ally of Michael Corleone. Altobello even donates one million dollars so he could be a part of the Vito Corleone Foundation. Aside from being an associate of Michael's, Altobello is also Connie Corleone's godfather.
Michael becomes suspicious of Altobello's motives after Joey Zasa, a Corleone Family rival, orchestrates an assassination attempt on Michael and other family heads assembled for a Commission meeting. Altobello leaves the conference room before the attack. Michael escapes without injury, but many of the others in the room are killed. Michael then instructs his nephew Vincent Mancini-Corleone to go to Altobello and pledge his allegiance to him, without promising to betray Michael.
While in Sicily, Altobello enlists the services of an assassin, Mosca, who conspires to kill Michael at the Teatro Massimo opera house when Anthony Corleone is set to debut in Cavalleria Rusticana. Before the performance, Connie presents him with a box of cannoli as a birthday gift. The cannoli turns out to be poisoned, however, and Altobello dies in his seat as Connie watches through her opera glasses.