Martin Bloom

1930 - 2023

Martin Joseph Bloom - beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, & pillar amongst extended family, friends, community, & country - passed peacefully on August 31, 2023. He was 93 years old. Martin leaves behind a legacy of love, wisdom, & cherished memories that will forever remain etched in our hearts.
Martin was born in 1930 to Arthur & Rose Bloom in Spokane, WA & from a young age, his curiosity & boundless energy were evident to all who knew him. Martin's insatiable quest for knowledge led him on a lifelong journey of discovery & personal growth. He graduated from high school early & earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis when he was 20 years old.
After university, he served in the United States Navy, stationed in San Diego, then moved back to the Midwest & began his career in architecture & building. In 1972, he married the love of his life, Carolyn J. (Nicholson) Bloom, embarking on a journey of over 50 years. Their love story is one for the ages, filled with laughter, shared dreams, & unwavering support for each other. They lived in homes that they designed & built in St. Louis MO, Tiburon CA, Miami FL, & Los Angeles CA. They traveled to all corners of the world with family & friends, with St. Barts as their most beloved destination together. Through the joys & challenges of their lives, Martin & Carolyn's bond only grew stronger, serving as an inspiration to all who had the privilege of witnessing their devotion.
Martin was an astute real estate & business investor that created wealth & added prosperity to the lives of others. From restaurateur adventures like Jericho Discothéque & Crazy Horse Saloon to founding companies like Park 'n Fly, Inc. & Valley Forge Corporation - he epitomized the ability to make decisions quickly & wisely, & then leave them behind knowing all along that the moment of absolute certainty never arrives. He gave the most from each hour, each day & each age of his life. Over the years he frequently found the puzzles more satisfying than their solutions, & the hardest that he solved always earned a "hot-ziggity" & eyes that smiled more than life.
Martin's calm, gentle, loving smile also stole the show at family gatherings - especially when he was hand-in-hand with Carolyn in front of their 5 children (Steve, Danny (d.2011), Keith, Michael & Julie), 12 grandchildren (Alec, Corinne, Danielle, Nicolas, Max Riley, Isabella, Carlin, Jackson, Addison, O'Reilly, Grace, Grant), & great-grandchild (Gessa). One of his most cherished roles was that of the family patriarch. As a father, Martin led by example, showing his children the importance of integrity, kindness, patience, & perseverance. His guidance & unwavering support gave each the skills & tools to navigate life's challenges with grace. As a grandfather, he shared his stories, wisdom, & the joy of simple pleasures with all of them, leaving an indelible mark on their lives & fostering a sense of belonging that will transcend generations.
Martin was an avid reader, car collector, captain, & pilot. He was a residential & commercial builder extraordinaire on both land & sea. Martin had a natural way of incorporating beauty, wonder, & love in everything he built, & his willingness to share successes with others was amongst the most priceless of gifts he bestowed upon all who knew him.
As we bid farewell to Martin, we take solace in the fact that his spirit will forever be a part of us. May he rest in peace knowing that a legacy of love, strength, & the power of a life well-lived will comfort the hearts of his children, grandchildren, & all those who were fortunate to know him.
A short memorial service followed by a celebration of Martin's life will be held on October 21, 2023 in the event room of 10776 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90024 beginning at 6:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to Playing for Change in Martin's honor, who always believed in their mission that "Music is the key" (https://playingforchange.org/donate/).