Donald L. Bloomquist, Sr.

Born Feb. 3, 1935, in Kane, PA, he was the youngest son of George O. and Margaret Manross Bloomquist. He graduated in 1954 from Kane High School, and in 1956, he married the love of his life, the former Carolyn K. Woryk.

The couple moved to Jamestown in the late 50s where they raised two children, Tina and Don Jr.

Don had a varied career, beginning in the building trades. He began in the early 60s as a plasterer’s apprentice, becoming skilled in specialty artisan decorative work. When plastering became unfashionable, he became a cement mason and was elected to the role of business agent for the Jamestown area local of the Operative Plasterers’ and Cement Masons’ International Association. He subsequently obtained a union card in the International Association of Bridge, Structural, and Ornamental Ironworkers, Local 348, retiring as Area Steward upon completion of the Chautauqua Lake Bridge in 1982.

Having decided to step away from the physical demands of ironworking, Don obtained his real estate license and had a successful career in real estate, becoming a million-dollar producer with Parinella Real Estate.

He was subsequently recruited to serve as Executive Director of CODE, Inc, which he had actually founded with a small group in the living room of the couple’s home in 1981, in an effort to stem the blight overtaking so many areas of Jamestown.

Under his leadership, CODE, Inc. fulfilled its stated mandate of providing safe, clean, and affordable housing to low- and moderate-income residents of the city he loved. In conjunction with the City of Jamestown, he successfully completed projects such as the revitalization of the North Main Street Gateway to Jamestown, the derelict former Euclid School, and the extensive rehabilitation of the long vacant Bigelow’s Department Store, now called the Chadakoin Building. Numerous multi-family homes were also renovated into clean and decent homes for the working poor and those requiring accessible accommodations, thereby providing the means for independent living previously in short supply.

In cooperation with Gebbie Foundation and others, Don was instrumental in the successful completion of the now-named Northwest Savings Bank Ice Arena. The building was completed in the summer of 2002, just in time for that year’s Skate Chautauqua competition.

Don was a proud member of Mount Moriah Lodge 145, achieving his 32nd Degree in the Robert H. Jackson class of 2001. He was also a member of the Norden Club, Elks Lodge, BPOE #263, Jamestown Vikings Ingjald Lodge #65, and the Lakewood Rod & Gun.

Don was many things to many people, but above all, he was a dedicated family man and a loving father. He adored his children and would do anything for them. One notable example was the period of time when he got up in the early hours on Sunday mornings to help the young Don Jr. deliver the Sunday Buffalo Courier Express to customers on a rather lengthy route.

He attended Little League games and piano recitals and was equally proud at both.

He was an avid deer hunter from an early age. He grew up wandering the Kane Woods, developing a love for that area especially, but had a deep appreciation and respect for the outdoors and all wildlife. For a time, he hunted pheasant, largely to spend time in the woods with his beloved Brittany, Pushinka.

In addition to hunting, Don enjoyed fishing, whether for whatever took the bait in Chautauqua Lake or with Captain Wally out on Lake Erie.

Don loved all animals but especially dogs, beginning with his childhood dog, Boz. The family dogs were Charlie Brown, Pushinka, and Princess, but also “grand-dogs,” Bo, Pepper, Leo, Remy, and Gus also loved him as much as he loved them.

Don is survived by his wife, Carolyn; his son, Don Jr. (Beth); daughter, Tina (Wallace), grandchildren, Brianna Phelps (Ricky) of Bluffton, SC, Benjamin D. Bloomquist of Medina, Ohio, and Brianna and Ricky’s children, Jacob and Avianna.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Margaret; his three brothers, George Jr. (WWII), Dana, of Jacksonville, Florida and James L., of Frewsburg.

The funeral will be held at 11 am Tuesday in the Lind Funeral Home.

Burial will be in Lake View Cemetery.

Friends will be received from 4-6 pm Monday followed by a Masonic Lodge Funeral Service at 6 pm.

You may leave words of condolence at lindfuernalhome.com.