CHESHIRE – Alan “Skip” Blum Sr., age 87, of Cheshire, formerly of Watertown and Yarmouthport, Mass., passed away on Thursday, March 14, 2024.
Skip was born in East Orange, N.J., on July 7, 1936, to the late Stanley and Mary (Geraghty) Blum. Skip was a graduate of Crosby High School, class of 1954. Following high school, he proudly served his country, enlisting in the U.S. Army.
Skip went on to a long career with CL&P for 38 years as a heavy equipment operator, and later transferring to Yankee Gas.
He was a charter member of the Young Republicans of Watertown from 1983 to 1998, and also was a proud member of the Watertown Lions Club, even serving a term as president.
Being a justice of the peace was an honor for Skip, marrying more than 300 couples. He and his wife Joan were owners of Home Plate Restaurant in Watertown for more than 10 years.
Skip had a passion for Boston Red Sox, UConn women’s basketball and Notre Dame football. Some of his proudest moments were going to Indiana, with his Lions friends Neil St. Onge, Jack Barrett, Steve Bormolini and Ron Blanchard.
During these travels, he even got to pilot the Goodyear Blimp and it was a standing joke that he would talk endlessly about it to anyone that would listen.
In 1996, Skip and Joan moved to Cape Cod for the second chapter of their lives. After retiring, he took on a role as courier for Cape Cod 5 Bank, where his coworkers became his second family.
He loved going to the beach, in all kinds of weather. He would often take his coffee to Corporation Beach and just watch the water. Having friends and family visit was a delight for him.
Skip’s family was a very important part of his life and would travel extensively to watch the grandchildren in sports or to celebrate special occasions.
He leaves behind his wife and best friend of 64 years, Joan (Lynn) Blum; his three children, Alan Richard “Rich” Blum Jr., Karen Blum, and Scott (Elisabeth Turner) Blum; his grandchildren, whom were a great source of pride, Adrienne Rinaldi (Anthony), Gregory Blum, Griffin Blum and Ashlynn Blum; his two great-grandchildren, Mikaela and Anthony “AJ” Rinaldi; as well as his nieces and nephews, who were a favorite part of his life; as was his “brother” Neil St. Onge.
He was predeceased by his sister Geraldine Blum and brother Raymond Blum, who was married to Joan’s sister Barbara.
To honor Skip’s memory, donations may be made to Towers to Tunnels Foundation (t2t.org).
Calling hours will be Friday, March 22, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Munson-Lovetere Funeral Home, 2 School St., Woodbury. A funeral service will be on Saturday, March 23, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Woodbury beginning at 10 a.m.
To leave an online condolence, please visit munsonloveterefuneralhome.com.
