Alex Bielaga Bloom
April 9, 1931-March 30, 2010

Alex passed away peacefully in his sleep in his own bed on Camano Island. This may come as a surprise to those who knew Alex as he was a vibrant, active man who was always going somewhere and doing something - bowling, golfing, playing bridge. A heart attack in December sidelined Alex and the last few months were frustrating to him as he waited for his body to mend so he could get back in action. Sadly, T-cell lymphoma proved too strong and he did not bounce back.
Alex lived a satisfying life and was blessed in so many ways. He was born in Chicago to Alexander and Mary Sabawa Bielaga, both of whom emigrated from Poland in the early 1900s. He grew up the youngest of seven children: Joe, Wally, Fran, Lillian (all deceased), and is survived by Helen, of Nebraska, and Ann, of Georgia. His siblings called him "Mousey" because he got paid 5 cents for every mouse he removed from the alley behind their home. Because he was born so much later than his siblings, the family had no crib and he spent his first two years sleeping in a dresser drawer.
He attended St. Bruno Catholic School and had great stories about the Sisters that he shared often. After high school, he joined the US Air Force and served his country for 20 years. He spent most of his military career as an aviation mechanic and was deployed to Thailand in support of the Vietnam War.
He married Therese Kluk Bielaga, a 100% Polish lady from a large Chicago family, on January 28, 1958. Keeping with their Polish heritage, their wedding celebration lasted two days. Al and Terry had three children: Kevin, Karen and James. They lived on various air bases throughout North America and took many cross-country car trips to visit family and see the natural wonders of this great country.
In 1969, Alex retired from the Air Force and took a job with Boeing and bought his first home in Silver Crest, then a brand new development - which is now part of Mill Creek, WA. In 1971, when the "Boeing bust" happened, Alex supported his family by bagging groceries for 25 cent tips at Sandpoint Navy Commissary in Seattle, WA and demonstrating Kirby vacuum cleaners. After several years of scraping by, he landed a job working for the Edmonds School District as a custodian at an elementary school. When he left that job to return to Boeing, the school honored him with an assembly so all the children had a chance to say goodbye to their friend, "Mr. B."
In 1985, he went to Okinawa to work for Lockheed and had a wonderful second honeymoon with his wife Terry. Shortly after returning to the U.S., Terry suffered a stroke and died in April, 1986. Alex was only 57 at the time and spent a year traveling the country and coming to terms with this great loss.
When he returned to the Northwest, he met the second love of his life, Melanie Bloom from Camano Island, WA. Alex and Melanie married in 1989, and Alex decided to take Melanie's family name at that time because he said that having another "Mrs. Bielaga" would be too heartbreaking. Being a Bloom was a blessing to Alex, for not only did he have a new partner to explore life with, he also was part of a large and loving family that included his new son and daughter, Konan and Tonya, and all of Melanie's extended family: parents, Mel and Mary Bloom; brothers, Mike (Linda), Greg (Marianne), Fr. Phil, Louie and Lawrence (Tessie). For Alex, it was like going home to his large extended Polish family back in Chicago, IL.
Alex and Melanie travelled a lot during their marriage: Peru, Germany, Costa Rica, and Alaska. They danced and scuba dived and golfed across the world. But their best travels were those visiting Tonya and her husband Bob and their four children at army facilities around the world. Alex was very proud of Bob and considered him a son rather than a son-in-law. When Bob died in 2008 serving our country in Afghanistan, Alex was devastated.
Alex was a Knight since March 1, 1970 obtaining the Honorary Life Membership status in 2001, and a Sir Knight since February 23, 1989. He would have been 79 years old on April 9, 2010. Alex and Melanie were married since June 30, 1989, 20 years.
Alex was proud to be a Bloom and live on Camano Island near the land that was the family resort back in the 40s and 50s. Alex was a gregarious man who was always there with a helping hand and a funny story. Everyone who knew him knew he really loved pepper, but despite living on an Island, wasn't a fan of shellfish. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him.
Donations in memorial of Alex can be made to either the Mary Bloom Center in care of Father Phillip Bloom of Saint Mary's of the Valley Catholic Church in Monroe, WA or to the Stanwood/Camano Knights of Columbus located at St. Cecilia's Catholic Church in Stanwood, WA.
Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, April 5, 2010, at Gilbertson Funeral Home, Stanwood
A Rosary service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, April 5, 2010 in the Chapel of Gilbertson Funeral Home, Stanwood.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 6, 2010, at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, Stanwood, 26900 78th DR. N.W. Stanwood, WA 98292.
Interment will be held in the Camano Lutheran Cemetery Camano Island, WA.