Palatine, Illinois
John Carlos Blume, of Palatine, passed away peacefully surrounded by his beloved family on May 28, 2019, at the age of 43 after a long, heroic battle with cancer.
John will be remembered as a kind, gentle soul. There wasn't a thing John wouldn't do to support a friend or family member in need. John was incredibly smart, having attained many accolades as a student at Loyola Academy in Wilmette. This was followed by some of the best years of his life at Northwestern University, where he made many lasting friendships. John enjoyed a successful career at VTech, where he was welcomed into their warm family environment - a rare find in corporate America - and took pride in creating toys that would nurture the natural curiosity of children. John was a lover of the arts with notable favorites such as Dostoevsky, Pearl Jam, "Seinfeld," and "The Shawshank Redemption." John, himself, was a philosopher and a wonderful writer, making the simplest statements sound poetic. Perhaps John's greatest accomplishment was the life that he created with his loving wife and daughter, working to maintain it even to the very end.
John is survived by his wife, Carolina, and daughter, Emily; his parents, Richard and Carmen; and his grandmother, Genoveva. John was the loving brother of Dawn (Dave) Walsh, and Sam (Fergal) Tierney; and fond uncle of Fintan, Gabriel, Adrian, Sinead, and Claire. John is mourned by his many aunts and uncles, cousins, family and friends all over the world, from Puerto Rico to Columbia to Ireland to Hong Kong.
In lieu of flowers, charitable donations can be made to the family of John Blume by visiting:
https://www.gofundme.com/fundraiser-for-the-blume-family
Memorial visitation will be 3-8pm, Friday, May 31, 2019 at Smith-Corcoran Funeral Home, 185 E. Northwest Hwy., Palatine, IL 60067. Mass will be 11:30 am, Saturday, June 1st at St. Theresa Catholic Church, 455 N Benton St, Palatine, IL 60067. Burial will follow at All Saints Cemetery, Des Plaines.
On behalf of the Plum Grove Estates Homeowners Association, we are saddened to hear of your loss. If there is anything we can do to support you, please don't hesitate to contact me. Lauri Mitchell, President
Lauri Mitchell
June 06, 2019 | Friend
John was indeed a kind soul and even though I did not spend a lot of time with him, when I did I knew he was a person of deep thought and gentleness and a good and lasting friend. May his family be strengthened by his spirit and his memory
Jeannette Chambers
June 01, 2019 | Norwood, MA | Friend
I met John when he and my son Nathan became best friends while students at Northwestern University. I got to know John when he , Nathan and I traveled to Pasadena , California to attend the 1996 Rose Bowl game where Northwestern was making a rare appearance after being Co -Champions of the Big Ten Conference with Ohio State. It was an exciting game with USC with over 100,000 fans in attendance. It was so much fun being with two special young men who were embarking on adulthood and would...
Wayne Chambers
June 01, 2019 | Norwood, MA | Friend
Sincere sympathy to you all at this very sad time from Jose Dee y Miguel in Castlegar..
So so sad...
Deirdre Tully
June 01, 2019 | Galway
"Solas na bhflaithis do anam milis, ciúin John"
Translation from Irish..
"The light of heaven to John's gentle, quiet soul"
Carolina, Emily and the extended Blume family please accept our condolences on the death of your beloved John. A gentleman and a scholar. He was the essence of good nature, love and God's gift (albeit for too short a time) to a troubled world.
His suffering bourne with dignity in such a loving caring family was a humbling experience to observe. May...
Mary Tierney
May 31, 2019 | Galway | Family
Sincere sympathy to all the family and friends of John at this very sad time.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
John Tierney and family
Kiltimagh, Ireland.
John Tierney
May 31, 2019 | Kiltimagh
Very fond memories of John and so very sorry at his passing. May he Rest in Peace. My love and support to you all. Love Edel.x
Edel and Amy
May 31, 2019 | Prague
Sincere sympathy to all John's family. You are in our thoughts and prayers at this sad and difficult time. May John rest in peace. Michael & Bernie Tully.
Michael & Bernie Tully
May 30, 2019 | Galway City, Ireland.
Thinking and praying for you all at this heart breaking time. May John's beautiful soul rest in peace. All my love, Michelle Tully, x
Michelle Tully
May 30, 2019 | Galway City, Ireland
