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In memory of
Richard William Bloom, Jr.
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In lieu of flowers
In lieu of flowers, consider a gift to Seasons Hospice Foundation.
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Richard's obituary
Ricky was born in Davenport, Iowa, and soon moved to Chicago, and then Wheaton, Illinois. He was the second child in a huge family, consisting of a scrappy but loving hoard of seven Irish Catholic kids who grew up in a two bedroom house. He made it out of childhood largely unscathed, with the exception of being rendered blind in one eye by a badly located stick.
In 1969, Ricky made what was undeniably his best life-choice by marrying JoAnn Fleming. After a brief stint as wanna-be hippies in San Francisco, the couple returned to live a respectable life on a gravel and tar street on the northside of what was then Wheaton.
In the 1970s and 80s, Ricky could be found sitting around in his underwear, feeding the dog Burger King hamburgers and threatening his children with the phrase, “You’re gonna catch your lunch.” We are still not sure what this means. He enjoyed a long career as a drywall installer, driving a blue and white Chevy Blazer held together with rust and drywall chalk. The Blazer sat in the driveway for many years, unlocked and with the keys in the ignition. Unfortunately, even this tempting offer was not enough to entice would-be thieves to remove the thing from our lives.
Ricky had many interests, including playing a mean game of cribbage with his siblings, listening to Chicago based blues rock, nicknaming Aunt Tammy “alligator arms”, and warming the bar stool of his favorite local watering holes; The Gables, and then Hot Shots.
Ricky was preceded in death by his better-half and wife, JoAnn (Fleming) Bloom, his parents, Richard William “Bill” and Mary Margaret “Babe” Bloom, sister Kathy DeWitt, and his brothers John Bloom, Rob (Tammy) Bloom and Tom Bloom.
He is survived by his son Richard William “Tre” Bloom III, his niece and ward Shauna (Andy) Huck, and 6 grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters Mary Miller and Barb (Ed) Malouf, and many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He also leaves behind many life-long friends, including Joan and Dennis Ammons.
He was never one for making a fuss, but he would want you to know that if he owes you a beer, and if you can find him in the hereafter, he would gladly allow you to buy him another. He can likely be found playing cribbage with Tom, Rob and John in a smoke filled celestial basement, asking JoAnn to bring them one more round. Well-wishers are encouraged to write a note of farewell on a can of Old Style and drink it in his honor.
Due to the fact that Ricky decided to shake this mortal coil during a worldwide pandemic, a celebration of life will be postponed. Expect an outdoor remembrance cribbage tournament with a cooler of beer.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Seasons Hospice Foundation at seasonsfoundation.org.
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In lieu of flowers
In lieu of flowers, consider a gift to Seasons Hospice Foundation.
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Share your sympathy. Send flowers from a local florist to Richard's family or funeral.
In lieu of flowers
In lieu of flowers, consider a gift to Seasons Hospice Foundation.
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Share your sympathy. Send flowers from a local florist to Richard's family or funeral.
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