Richard Kenneth Bloom

Richard was born in New York and grew up alternating his time between Swan Lake and Miami. He went to Miami Beach High School. Upon graduation, he joined the Army where he had many adventures in Japan. He never cut his hair to the Sergeant’s liking and stayed in trouble for only wearing loafers. He met the love of his life, Sylvia, at 25 years of age and they were married after 8 weeks of dating. They celebrated their 59th Wedding Anniversary one day before his passing. His greatest accomplishment and love was his wife and three sons who were happily raised mostly in Georgia. Richard had multiple career interests and a few that he put his heart and soul into including women’s apparel, Bingo and restaurant ventures. He was successful in all and maintained relationships with most everyone he worked with throughout the years and many of them affectionately referred to him as Rico. It was his joy to work with Marty and Michael in the businesses daily. He enjoyed dinners with Sylvia and friends, watching Fox news and the Rays, boating and fishing, and waking up to his dogs who adored him. He indulged them with treats and allowed them to drink from his water glass. He mostly treasured all of the time he could spend with his kids and grandkids as he came to be affectionately known as Papa (and GG). God broke the mold creating Richard (Rico, Papa). He was a unique person with an infectious personality that made everyone feel known and welcome. He will be lovingly remembered for his teasing jokes, his wildly entertaining stories, his unfailing work ethic, his adorable smile, his generosity to all he knew, his zest for life, and mostly for his happy tears at the drop of a hat. He lived a great life the way he wanted to live it. If he had to do it over, he would do it exactly the same way. Rico got it done. Our Richard Papa Rico will be so missed.

Richard is survived by his wife Sylvia, son Mitchell, son Marty and daughter-in-law Mindy, son Michael and daughter-in-law Hali, grandchildren: Rachel, Jacob, Alex, Ben, Hal, Brady, and Bo; his great grandchildren Vivian and Lilian, several loving nieces, nephews, and cousins, and his dogs Fred and Barney.

A small private family service will be held on Sunday, January 23rd.

A service/burial will be held at Arlington Memorial Park in Atlanta on a future date.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Richard's memory to the ASPCA or the Sarasota Humane Society.