William Sickles Bloom

William (Bill) Bloom of Coral Gables, FL, passed away peacefully at home on October 7, 2022, at the age of 96. Bill was the beloved partner of Grace Pancoe for 33 wonderful years, and the loving husband of Charlotte Scherr Bloom, who predeceased him in 1980. He was the devoted father of Warren, Charles, and Sam; father-in-law of Elise Levy Bloom and Patience Smith Bloom; and adored grandfather of Kyra and Gaby Bloom.

A financial advisor and native of Boston, who moved to Miami with his parents — Ferdinand and Gladys Bloom — Bill will be warmly remembered for his charm and generosity. After his service in the Navy during the Second World War, Bill enrolled at Boston University and received his B.S. in Business Administration. Bill worked for the family woolen business in Boston, but, when his father sold the business and moved to Miami in 1949, Bill wisely followed. After trying his hand at selling furniture and owning a fleet of construction-site catering trucks, Bill, like Flo, fell in love with insurance, a conduit for his extraverted and gregarious personality. He eventually focused on life insurance and became a Chartered Licensed Underwriter, the industry’s gold standard.

Bill had also been an avid sailor and was never afraid to show off his skills — sometimes by coming within a hair’s breadth of other boats’ moorings in Biscayne Bay and terrifying one of his daughters-in-law, in particular. He loved life and lived it to its fullest. His devotion to his clients, friends and family knew no bounds. Until his last days, he continued to service the life insurance policies that he and other agents had sold, maintained his credentials, and made the occasional relished sale. Bill’s clients often spanned several generations of the same family. He was determined that no one should be left behind, advocating tirelessly for his clients, friends, and family, when the need arose. His passing is an enormous loss to all who knew him, but the memory he leaves behind is even greater. May we all be so blessed.

In lieu of flowers, mourners are asked to donate to a Democratic candidate or cause.