Eight Bells: Mort Bloom

Mort Bloom

In the early morning hours of December 12, 2016, facing in a southerly direction, with the Pacific Ocean at his starboard side, Commodore Morton J. Bloom sailed away at 99 years. He died peacefully at home in Los Angeles, surrounded by the love of his family, friends, and devoted caregivers.

Mort was a man of great integrity and many talents, not least of which were his uniquely inventive mind, wonderful sense of humor, and great gift for telling stories and jokes. After graduating from UCLA in 1938, and from Berkeley’s Boalt Hall in 1941, he had a long career as an attorney. He served as an officer in the U.S. Navy during WW II.

Sailing was Mort’s great pleasure in life. He was commodore of the Del Rey Yacht Club in 1972, and helped establish the DRYC Catalina facilities in Cat Harbor. He was also commodore of the Southern California Yachting Association in 1985. He was an international racing judge, and was influential in developing and teaching sailboat racing rules. He was an advisor to the 1987 America’s Cup team that won back the cup in Australia.

Mort was an artist, best known for his beautiful geometric drawings, amazingly drawn without a straight edge. He loved show tunes, clever puns, pickled herring, and desserts of every sort.

After 70 years of marriage, he survived his wife Frances, who passed away six years ago. He adored his three daughters, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, who survive him. Gifts in his memory can be made to the ACLU or the JDRF. A memorial will be held in early 2017.

Source: Legacy.com