BLOMME, Edmond R.
With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Edmond R. Blomme on January 19, 2022.
Edmond is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Olga (nee Vandezande); his children Chris (Gloria Tenhunen) Steve (Riitta Hietela), Kim and Mike (Linda Rogers); twelve grandchildren Eva, Jason, Liisa, Greg; John, Matthew, Christopher; Samantha, Timothy; Shanna, David and Stephanie and thirteen great-grandchildren; his sister Gabrielle and brothers-in-law Werner and Tony (Mimi) and many other nieces and nephews. Son of the late Emiel and of the late Maria (nee Vlaeminck) Blomme and predeceased by sister Marie-Jeanne.
Edmond was born in Ghent, Belgium on April 12, 1932. He was an only son with two sisters. His mother was widowed when Edmond was very young and continued to run a coffee bean roasting store to provide for her children. Edmond’s early childhood was influenced by growing up in occupied Belgium during the Second World War. As a young man, he completed the required army duty by joining the Paratroopers – a time he remembers with great fondness.
He met Olga in 1949, fell in love and they married. They opened a bookstore together in Oudenaarde, Belgium but the many social changes occurring in Belgium led them to look for new opportunities elsewhere and they immigrated to Canada in 1955. Edmond enrolled in university and completed a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Toronto which led him into social work. He had a long career with the Ministry of Corrections and became superintendent of the newly opened Cecil Facer School in Sudbury, Ontario. Edmond affected the lives of many young people during his professional career and was ahead of his time in his guidance. Early retirement brought on new challenges as he and Olga purchased land in Markstay, Ontario and built their own house and barn and started a small goat farm.
Edmond was passionate about gardening, especially his flowers. He was an avid stamp collector and reader with eclectic taste but especially history. He loved languages and was articulate in English, Flemish and French and even a smattering of German and Russian. He wrote several short stories and poetry. He dabbled in carpentry and painting and taught gardening classes at Cambrian College. He enjoyed a good debate and was a ferocious Scrabble player!
Our family would like to thank the staff of St. Joseph’s Continuing Care-Clarion as well as the staff of Pioneer Manor for their excellent care during these difficult times and Dad’s last two years.
In keeping with his wishes, there will be no visitation or funeral service.
Memorial donations, should you desire, can be made to Alzheimer’s Society of Canada or a charity of your choice. www.cooperativefuneralhome.ca
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Edmond Blomme 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Sudbury, Province: Ontario