Belmont---Gary Bloom, 69, of Belmont, N.H., died Nov. 29, 2012 after a brief illness. He was born July 11, 1943 in Salamanca, N.Y., the youngest of four children to Wanda (Pavlock) and John Bloom. He married Martha “Marty” (Morton) Bloom on April 23, 1966, and they enjoyed 46 fun years of marriage.
Gary was most at home on his boat on Lake Winnisquam, on the golf course with his friends, or in Florida at his and Marty’s home in The Villages. Gary and Marty’s adventurous spirit brought them around the world and home again, making friends and forging new connections wherever they went.
Gary worked for J.J. Newberry’s for 36 years, working his way up from a stockroom boy to District Manager. After Newberry’s closed, Gary and Marty opened Bloom’s Variety on Laconia’s Main Street in 1997 in the old Newberry’s storefront, which they operated until their retirement in 2008. Gary loved the fast pace of retail and had a talent for connecting with his many loyal customers and community members. A long-time proponent of small businesses and the importance of Main Street in a local economy, Gary remained supportive of the Main Street effort.
Gary is predeceased by his mother and father and his sister Janice Skudlarek of Randolph, N.Y. He is survived by his wife Martha; his children Trevor Bloom and wife Lisa, of Reading, Mass.; his daughter Meredith Morin and husband Mike of Stratton, Vt.; and his five grandchildren: Jack Bloom, Natalie Bloom, Brian Bloom, of Reading, Mass. and Eva Morin and Luke Morin of Stratton, N.H., his brother Mark Bloom, of Raleigh, N.C., and sister Lorraine Harf, of Depew, N.Y., as well as many other family and friends.
Calling hours will be held in the Carriage House of the Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street in Laconia on Monday, Dec. 3, 2012 from 5 to 8 p.m.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Joseph Parish, 96 Main Street in Belmont on Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2012 at 10 a.m. by Rev. Paul B. Boudreau, Jr., Pastor of the Church.
Donations may be made to the Main Street Initiative, Inc. of Laconia at 555 Main St., Laconia, NH 03246.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N.H. is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.