Henry C. Blum Jr.

Henry Clement Blum, Jr. died on August 20th, 2022, surrounded by his loved ones. He was born March 20th, 1938 and lived a long, full life. He is survived by his children, Diane (Ken) Mandile, Carol (Jim Miller) Blum, Barbara (Ed) Biegel, Steve (Lorri) Blum and Jim Blum; his daughter-in-law Leslie Lee Blum, his grandchildren, William Mandile, Olivia (Derek) Hall and Benjamin Mandile, Mariana and Caitlin Miller, Libby Blum, Nick (Craig), Eddie and Joey Biegel, David (Audra), Mark (Alexis), Jonathan (Lindsay), Rebekah, Angela and Julie Blum; and his great-grand-daughter Nicole. He is also survived by his stepdaughter Robin (Larry) Troxel, step-grandsons, Lee (Candice) and Mike (Amanda) Troxel, and step great-grandchildren, Dane, Sidney, Justin and Emilia; his nieces Jennifer Hendler, Paula Sanchez and Cathy (Judd) Heape, and grand-nieces and grand-nephews Scott, Erika and Brandon Hendler and Katie Sue Sanchez; and his sister-in-law Christine Char, nieces Jenn (Clark Lord) Char and Mishka (Debbie Moss) Char, and grand-nephew Freddie Lord. He was preceded in death by his parents Josephine and Henry Blum, his brother Clem Blum, his wife, Donna Blum, his ex-wife, Julianne Wiesner Griswold and his daughter Sharon Blum.

Henry was born in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, 14 years after his parents had emigrated from Germany. His parents owned a dry-cleaning shop and worked long hours while Henry and his brother Clem were cared for by their maternal grandmother who had joined the family from Germany. The family moved to Madison and then to DuBuque Iowa before finally settling in Ft. Collins Colorado when Henry was 8 years old. His father had been working as a tailor, for which he had trained prior to emigrating, and started his own business in their home in Ft. Collins, sewing by hand as he sat cross-legged on the dining room table. After his grandmother died when he was 4 years old, Henry had been placed in kindergarten two years ahead of time and was then required to repeat 1st grade when they moved to Madison because he was just too young, so he was far ahead of his classmates in learning. He attended St. Joseph’s Catholic school through 9th grade and then went on to Ft. Collins High School, graduating shortly after turning 17 years old. He was a good student, sang in the choir, took Latin and Spanish and was good at mathematics. He played tennis and also had a paper route, mowed lawns and had 3 different grocery store jobs by age 14, working after school and on weekends. His parents did not want their sons to be hampered by having a primary language other than English, so they never learned to speak German in their home.

Henry attended Regis College in Denver, working at a grocery store in Estes Park during the summers. He met Julie Wiesner in September of his Junior year, the daughter of his economics professor, and they married by February. She was pregnant with their first child when they lived in Estes Park in a small cottage the following summer, and then moved into a basement apartment in her parents’ home while Henry finished college and their family continued to grow with their second daughter. He began working as a certified public accountant, first at Price Waterhouse and then at Columbia Savings and Loan where he worked himself up the ladder from controller to treasurer and eventually to senior vice president of finance. When Columbia and other savings and loan companies began to struggle to survive and were laying off huge numbers of employees, he was let go from the Denver branch and offered a transfer to a branch in California. This would have meant he would have to move away from his family and he was unwilling to do that. He was unable to find another job in Denver in the banking field, and decided it would be wise to work for himself, and he bought a liquor store and later a small ice making company. Henry and Julie had 6 children by this time and had divorced after 16 years of marriage. They continued to be good friends and respectful collaborators in raising their children.

Henry was active in his community, belonging to the Knights of Columbus, the Toastmasters club, and the Regis Alumni Association. He competed in speaking and also a bowling league, earning many trophies. He sang in community choirs with his wife Julie. Prior to their divorce, he and Julie took the children camping every summer and skiing in the winter in the Rocky Mountains, and also on other vacations in the Southwest, Texas and California. He was an avid Denver Broncos fan, and had season’s tickets at Mile High Stadium in the rowdy South Stands for many years. He took his children to games, two at a time, cheering, booing and letting out a piercing whistle when necessary. He eventually gave up these seats and bought comfier seats under a roof and with backs on the benches as age crept up, and also attended several of the Super Bowls Denver played in.

Henry worked very hard at his new businesses, and employed Julie there for a few years, as well as several of his children when they were old enough. He sold the businesses after experiencing both himself and his children being held up at gun-point. He then re-certified as an accountant and joined Julie’s accounting firm where they worked together for a few years before both becoming employed as accountants working in auditing for the federal government. He initially worked in a Defense Contract Audit Agency at Martin Marietta, and then transferred to the BLM in the accounting and finance section, working there for 10 years before retiring. He continued the part time private accounting practice throughout this time period as well as after his retirement.

Henry met Donna in 1990 and they married in 2000, after living together for ten years. Donna is credited with lighting and encouraging a new adventurous spirit in Henry, who had previously poured his energy into working hard to provide for his large family while also saving for his retirement, with an oft stated goal of never being a burden to his children. While they both continued working for many more years, and enjoying their children and grandchildren, they also joined a travelling club and began exploring the world. After they retired, they continued to have grand adventures together. They visited all 50 states at least once, and all of the state parks in Colorado. They also travelled to Australia, New Zealand, Germany, England, Ireland, Rome, and took cruises to Alaska and through the Panama Canal. Henry surprised his entire family when he went skydiving to celebrate his 75th birthday. In his latter-years, Henry took loving care of Donna in their home after she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, until there came a time when she needed more care than he could give her. He visited her in a memory care facility several times a week, though she confused him with her father often. He unfailingly gave of himself to his beloved wife until she died peacefully in the fall of 2021. He also maintained a loving friendship with Julie, his first wife and the mother of his children, and together they gave to their children and grandchildren the beautiful gift of an unbroken extended family.

Henry strongly believed in giving of himself to others and to the community he lived in. As a young man he served on the Housing Authority board for the city of Littleton, working on building low-income housing. Later he always served on the HOA board wherever he lived, and eventually would end up as president in most cases – solving problems with homeowners not following rules and such. He donated blood regularly all through many years, at work at the bank, at the church, and would get a pin for the number of pints donated, eventually ending up with a 10-gallon pin. After selling his liquor store, and being aware of the importance of liquor licensing laws, he served on the Centennial Liquor Licensing Authority. He was on the Respect Life committee at his church, St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, in Aurora, working to advocate for pro-life and against euthanasia, and was volunteer treasurer. Throughout his life he gave generously to many charitable organizations, including those that offer pregnant women other options besides abortion and battered women’s shelters. After retirement he enjoyed volunteering at a local elementary school, reading with kindergarteners, grading papers and whatever was needed, from 2010-2020. He was awarded the volunteer of the year award for the entire school district in 2020.

Henry was a dedicated and hard-working man who was guided in his life by a strong moral compass and who actively lived his life according to his morals. He was a wonderful and involved father to his children and grandfather to his grandchildren. He was loyal, kind and generous to others. He was seen by his friends and family as intelligent and wise, a wonderful source of advice when asked. He was serious but also funny, with a witty and dry sense of humor. He had a discerning mind, reading and staying informed about the world. He loved his large extended family and gave his love freely. And he was beloved to his family and many friends. He lived a long, full and meaningful life and leaves his legacy behind in all whom he touched.

Rosary is also open to the public and is being held on Thurs., 10/13/22 at 6:00 p.m. at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 19099 E. Floyd Ave., Aurora CO 80013.

Funeral Mass is open to the public and will be held on Fri., 10/14/22 @ 10:30 a.m. at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 19099 E. Floyd Ave., Aurora CO 80013.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Marisol Services/Catholic Charities @ https://ccdenver.org/donate/. A quick link is provided below.