Thomas Doyle Blum Jr.

HENDERSONVILLE-Thomas Doyle Blum, Jr., 76, of Hendersonville, NC, passed away at his residence on August 14, 2014 after a lengthy illness. He was born in Pittsburgh, PA on July 26, 1938, the first son of Thomas Doyle and Antoinette Blum. He attended a local public elementary school prior to entering Nazareth Hall in Grand Rapids, OH, a Catholic boarding school for boys, whereupon he became the first graduate of a school alumna. He completed his secondary education at North Catholic High School in Pittsburgh before entering the University of Pittsburgh. After completion of two university years, he enlisted in the U.S. Marines Corp. in January, 1957, where he served as a Cryptographer until his discharge in January, 1959. Immediately upon discharge, he returned to the University of Pittsburgh to complete his degree in Business Administration, graduating in 1961. During those years, he was very actively involved with organizations and activities pursuant to his career.
Upon graduation he became employed as a Manager of various Sears, Roebuck, Inc. Dept. Stores in several Northeastern States. In 1975, he and his family moved to Boca Raton, FL where upon he became a men's clothier, opening "Thomas Blum & Sons". Upon his decision to change careers in 1985, he joined the brokerage firm of Prudential Securities, retiring in 1996 as First VP of Investments/ Boca Raton Branch. He became a summer resident of Hendersonville in 2001, and became a permanent resident in 2006. His lifelong passion was golf, a game he never tired of playing since childhood. Over the years, he enjoyed stamp collecting, photography and travel, but most of all, his family.
He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Christine "Tina" Cipolla Blum, his brother, Dick Blum of Chagrin Falls, OH, and two children, Tamara Blum Fox and Thomas D. Blum, III, of Boca Raton, FL. He was pre-deceased by his eldest daughter, Debora Blum Maners in 2004, and his youngest son, Daniel Blum in 1994. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Alaina Fox, Daniel Fox, and Juliette Maners. In addition, he is survived by four step-children, Christine Marshman, James Cipolla, Paul Cipolla "Heidi", and Lauren Dougherty "Michael", as well as six step-grandchildren, Homer Marshman III, Harry Cipolla, Angela Cipolla, Paul Cipolla, Rosemary Cipolla and Claire Cipolla.
A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 A.M., Friday, August 22, 2014, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Hendersonville, NC. The family will receive friends in the St. Francis Hall of the church immediately following the service. Interment of his remains will be at a later date in Boca Raton, FL.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that donations in his memory be made to The American Heart Association, 3535 Pelham Rd. # 101, Greenville, SC 29615 or www.americanheart.org.
An online register book is available for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com. Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors is in charge of arrangements.