I had the privilege of working with John in 1998 on the A&E Biography of Karl Malden. I consider it one of my favorite shows, but it would have been nothing without John's hard work, patience, and impeccable taste and talent.

Queridas Alba Renée, Gaby y Nina, reciban nuestro amor, hoy que recordamos el día de la partida de John.
Pedimos al Señor, que siga llenando sus corazones de fortaleza y paz.
Las queremos mucho y estamos seguros que, con el amor que  John siempre les tuvo, las sigue cuidando desde el cielo.
Abrazos cariñosos.
Olgui y Calín

Alba, Gaby & Nina, thinking of you all today, always. I’m sure John is proud of you all from above. 🙏😇🥰🥰🥰

Alba, what beautiful sentiments!! I read them with joy and  happiness knowing what a beautiful life with friends and family he had. I know he’s watching over you, Nina and Gaby, as well as his close friends and family. God bless you all. 🤗🤗🤗😇🙏❤️

We both met wonderful partners and moved kicking and screaming into adult life; proud parents of four wonderful children (two each). We spent almost every summer together renting on Block Island, where John would treat us to fresh, grilled swordfish and bluefish, just some of his specialties. John and I would race our bikes around the island most mornings and then reward ourselves with iced coffee and cinnamon buns at the Bagel Shop. 
	John was a wonderful, empathetic person and friend - a contemplative, profound thinker, and so much more. The hole and grief that exists in the lives of us who knew and loved John is way bigger than the Ozone, but my solace is that I had the privilege of being John’s friend, a privilege - along with the wonderful memories - that sustains me during this difficult time. And finally, John’s spirit and presence is carried on by Alba, Gaby, and Nina, a family that we are so lucky to feel part of.
	From David Rubin: I knew John since we were 14 years old. We connected in an effortless way for more than half a century. Our relationship survived through all sorts of challenges and yet, it rarely changed. Perhaps that was the beauty of being friends with John… the building blocks of our friendship never disappeared. They were never replaced, and they never wavered.  
	I guess John’s death may change the building blocks of our friendship, but I am not there yet. When December 3, comes by, and my calendar reminder tells me to call John for his birthday, I might just call him. 
	I often called him and would say, “I called to see how you are.” When I said those words, I often felt a bit dishonest, because I sometimes called just to feel our connection. When I called John, I was touching someone close. Someone from whom the comfort of the touch comes from a lifetime of connecting when time and circumstance seemed to be mere background to an unbreakable connection. That was my connection to John. 

Where I panicked changing diapers, John calmly took on the task without breaking a sweat. In later years I made it a point to hold back my intense desire to intervene when he was engaging with the girls. They grew up knowing that their father held the advice they needed for certain situations. It made me happy to see their closeness.  I can sense John in them as they make life choices based on careful and balanced consideration. 
	For as long as I remember, a week did not go by in which Peter Waelsch or David Rubin did not communicate with John. I always knew to whom John was speaking by either hearing him responding empathically to one or playfully admonishing the other. These men were always present to John, and still are to me and to our daughters who adore them both. David Rubin and Peter Waelsch are true mensches. 
	It touched me immensely that Peter drove all the way down from Boston – twice within a month - just to watch a football game with John.  The last time was the weekend before John left us. I walked into our bedroom to see Peter propped up on my pillows alongside John in the bed, chuckling and talking about the players and the arc of the moral universe. 
	I don’t know what Nina and I would have done without David Rubin rushing to us at 4 A.M. in the morning, on the day John passed on. David stayed at our side for most of the day to help us figure out what needed to be done - and to grieve - trying to make sense of what had just happened to John and to us. I love Peter and David for having actively loved John so deeply.  John loved them back dearly as if they were brothers.
	From Peter Waelsch:  I met John at Dalton in fifth grade and our lives have been intertwined ever since. We hung out in NYC during Thanksgiving and Christmas college breaks, trying to pick up the ladies in mid-town. Post college, we backpacked through Europe and spent a year in London going to film school where John produced and directed a student film we made. 

John Bloomgarden (12/3/47 – 10/11/21)
by Alba Quezada Bloomgarden, Peter Waelsch, and David Rubin

	I’m not entirely sure what John was like during his years at Riverdale but I’ve been told by James Fuld and Jeff Richards that although he was quiet and reserved he was very involved in school activities, such as being co-editor in chief of the yearbook with Robert Rosenheck. John Brendler wrote that he loved John as a high school friend and always had a special feeling of warmth toward him. “He was one of the most sensitive and thoughtful friends in my growing up years.” 
	Robert Krulwich wrote that John and he rode the Riverdale bus together each morning and that he “…was so good looking that he had more female admirers than all the rest of us…”. I found this to be true when he and I began to date. I had to soothe the women who loved him by letting them know that they would not lose their standing with him just because I came into the picture. His quiet reserve coupled with his good looks made him mysterious and appealing to me when I first met him in the elevator of our building in 1984. Learning about his passion for Latin American politics, film, and theater made him even more attractive. I was lucky to land John and marry him in 1988. Sharing my life with John for 36 years has been a balm to my soul.
	John offered a generous spirit, a sensitivity, and a solidity within himself that was like an anchor to my free-spirited, flitting personality. I learned the value of stopping everything to sit quietly alongside him to read the New York Times or watch MSNBC and the Giants. Although watching the Giants wasn’t always that calming! 
	John was a true listener. He never tried to talk me out of my feelings. His greatest joy was in the raising of our beautiful, talented, and intelligent daughters; Gabriela and Nina, now both in their 20’s.  John was a fully involved father from the beginning. Where I panicked changing diapers, John calmly took on the task without breaking

Riverdale vs. Hackley (or Horace Mann), 1964 or '65

A short poem to our friend, John, with the deepest soul and the shyest smile:

Alba and John met in the eighties
A most beautiful couple they made.
He, quiet and gentle, she full of grace and fire.
Together they lived atop the beautiful Park and grew  a beautiful garden,
But not before growing two magical beauties of human form, Gabriella  and Nina, who carry on all the good stuff that matters.  The depth of your love and your character lives in them.   And when a little rabble-rouser pops up in them, or from them😘, we will all be thinking -  there you are.   
Journey well dearest  John.   
We love you 
 Louise, Marc, Luke and Hiro


John was in the centre of a great group of friends and family that we've known for many, many years. From knowing Alba from the time she'd moved to New York City and met a very friendly and kind guy in her building, through the birth of all of our children, to the summer we spent together in Tanglewood, canoeing and listening to music; to our chats on the phone recently as John tried to get a publishing project off the ground; to the surprise meeting with Nina at London's South Bank Centre when she was studying in Cardiff; to Alba and John's visit to stay with us in our home in South London and our many trips to stay at their delightful and welcoming home high above Central Park West. These are just some of the wonderful memories that are now flooding back to Nicky and me. We're so grateful to have known such a kind and generous man - all our thoughts and love are sent to him and to the great circle of family and friends around him. John - we'll miss you!! xxxx

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Recollections of John and Alba’s wedding In East Hampton when Jane and I had our three kids: Noah then 6, Zach 3 and Josh 3 months old.Lots of fond memories.When Gabyand Nina came along we used to love getting together then as a family. We shared family get togethers at Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur,Hanukah, and Passoveras well as birthdays; laterHanukah was usually celebrated at my mother’s and Simon’s apartment where Simon would take great joy in handing his grandchildren silver dollars.John was a kind and gentle person with great love, warmthand affection for Alba, Gaby and Nina..... and always the dogs.Gaby and Nina......John was a loving, kind father and I am sure you will miss himdearlybut he will always be in your hearts with his warmth, kindness and love for each of you.I too will miss John. He was a dear and deeply caring person. Much love to you all -David

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October 11, 2021Heartfelt emotions on this day as I learned of John’s passing. So many thoughts and feelings that I have for too long buried within.I cannot redo what I did not do but I can share my belief that family matters. Maintaining and fostering a relationship is important.Much that I could’ve, should’ve,would’ve said to John. I had begun to share some of those feelings on the few occasions we got together during his decline.His death has caused me to reflect on much that we shared and some things that we struggledwith. Living together growing up as kids at 1185 Park and going to Dalton has caused me to reflect on many of those childhood experiences. Though Jewish and always celebrating Hanukah, John and I would go with Flo Flo to pick out a Christmas tree to placein our family roomin our apartment.Iwas always jealous of John because it seemed that he had a much easier time at school than I had. Somehow it seemed that he could always write a paper or memorize lines in a flash. I seemed always to be struggling.We shared a room growing up with a wonderful train set on a platformthat could be lowered into the middle of the room. Who would have the train controls was often an issue.I always enjoyed going with John and Kermit to sit in the empty theatre to watch a rehearsal or a run-thru of some of Kermit’s shows. One of my wonderful memories was going to watch the The Music Man in an out of town rehearsal in Philadelphia.I also recall sitting with John and our mother as Meredith Wilson and Rini played the score of Music Man for the first time to our family on an upright piano in our living room.

John was a wonderful friend to my family no matter the time or place.We were grateful for  his empathy and compassion and he never stopped loving. He was genuine and incredibly generous with feelings for those he cared about rarely  expecting anything in return. I knew John when he and my brother were in high school and now so many years later, having created rich memories it is unbelievable that we can not make any more but rather must explore and treasure those from the past.I send love and hugs to Alba, Gaby and Nina and will always cherish and be thankful for our friendship.

My brother in law John passed away last Monday and left a hole in so many hearts that knew him.  My sister Alba was and has been an inspiration to me for many years in her support of her husband. News of his illness stunned me and I watched as his daughters, Nina and Gabriela, as well as their mom, gravitate to him more and more in their care for him & their need to be close to him. He was truly fortunate for having such an incredibly loving family.  That being said, I will always be indebted to John for his support and care of my daughter, Mikhaila, during her college years in NY.  I was in California, distressed, when she was in need of medical care but John was always at her side each time: unquestioning and 100% focused on her needs. I know they were close because of that but they shared a special bond in literature, art, and cinema as well. For ALL that I am eternally grateful to him.
I think my favorite memory of him took place on Block Island, where he was truly happy, relaxed, and so de-stressed; I felt fortunate to bear witness  to his zany side!  It was interesting that I recalled the same exact memory with my daughter as we were talking of John the other day. I was in the family van with the girls, John, and his close friend Peter. We were driving from our house into town.  We had to go through meadows of a private dirt road before we reached the main street and John left the van's side doors ajar so the girls would have the thrill of the open air.  John and Peter were in the front seats joking as they were taking on their alter ego personas as "Dieter and Werner" bantering with each other in their crazy German accents. Gaby, Nina, Mikhaila, and I  were insane with laughter listening to them as we bumped our way to the main road. Once there, the van doors closed but Werner and Dieter persevered in their Teutonic repartee all the way into town to the delight of everyone in the van. I will miss you John... Dieter/Werner... which ever one you were!



I have known John since just before I married Peter in 1984 and one of John’s greatest moments and decisions for us was to marry Alba and have two beautiful girls, Gabby and Nina,  so our families could build so many memories together.  We spent close to 30 summers vacationing together on Block Island (yes, even before the girls were born! and well after our older kids had grown and we’re on their own), renting a house together, swimming, bicycling and cooking together. I particularly remember one summer evening when Alba cooked paella outside on the grill for all of us so we could enjoy a wonderful meal on the back porch of Coast Guard Road house on Block Island with our two families and invite Peter‘s nephew Kolo and Susannah and their two children Lena and Lewis. It was always about family, family, family with John and Alba.  And as so many have reflected here on this page,  it was John’s role as a parent -as a constant, loving, nurturing father to Gabby and Nina and a fun “uncle” to our two children Chris and Talia, that I most admired about him— along with that quiet presence and his appreciation of Peter‘s irreverent jokes. So many memories too numerous to go on about. But as my husband Peter has said “We will always be comforted by the knowledge that the three of you, Alba, Gabby and Nina, will continue to be part of our lives, strengthened by the spiritual presence of John.”  Chris, Talia, Peter and I send all our love to Alba, Nina and Gabby and cannot wait to give you all some warm hugs. 




John was a person very appreciated by my parents, Güicho and Chita and they always commented on him as a very good and loving person.  When they talked about John and Alba as a couple, they always said "Alba won the lottery with John" he is a great man with immense charisma and worm heart. But they also said,  you can tell how much he loves her too.

Once they came to Guatemala to visit and my parents wanting to be as good as possible with Alba and John, they lent them their Chrysler station Wagon and during the drive through the interior of the republic, the station wagon broke down, they had good adventures to return.  What my parents admired was John's calm demeanor and taking it as an adventure.

Now, God and this pair of Angels (Güicho & Chita) receive you with open arms and will 
take care of you, so that Alba, Gaby and Nina, are calm because John is in very good company.

The Vela Gil Family will always hold John in their hearts as an excellent, honest, and loving Father, husband and friend !!  May the eternal Light shine and illuminate your path and may you rest in Peace John Bloomgarden !!  I always called you "Jardín Floreciente" and that always brought a smile to your face!

Dad (Marco Dardón),

This is the picture from your house where John & Alba celebrated their Anniversary 😍😍

I can see that everyone has similar thoughts of John. Whether you lived near or far on opposite coasts and abroad, saw him a few or many times, John made a huge impact on so many people. 

What a joy to read these tributes. I know these will warm my cousin Alba, Gaby and Nina’s hearts. ❤️❤️❤️ God bless you all!🙏😇

Love, 
Debbie Dardón 
San Diego, CA

Here’s a picture of the day John and Alba celebrated their wedding anniversary at my dad and mom’s house which my dad referred to. 

I didn't get to be around John much but every time I saw him he impressed me with his quiet and warm attitude.
I'm glad that one year he and Alba celebrated their wedding anniversary at my home.  That was years before they were blessed with the birth of Gaby and then Nina.

Although John is now gone from the face of the earth, he will always be around, looking after his three girls.  I know this because I lost my dear Gloria a few months ago but I still feel her presence every minute of the day.

Rest in peace John.

John was my Uncle Peter's best friend from Riverdale. Because of his relationship with Peter, he became close with my mom and dad. John had so many great characteristics that I will remember and try to emulate. As many have noted, John's kindness and gentle nature set him apart. Also, his friendship with Peter is one for the ages. They were side by side cheering for Riverdale to beat Hackley in a famous high school photo, side by side on the beach on Block Island reading their books, and regularly debating the contents of the Post and Daily News and the strengths and weaknesses of the Knicks, Mets, and Yankees. May we all have a lifelong friendship like the one that belonged to Peter and John. Finally, John was a great listener and an even better father. As a person 25 years his junior now with teenage kids of my own, I appreciate the way John listened to his daughters and let them find their way while always being there for them. Finally, back in 1979, while on a weekend trip to Block Island with me and my parents, John went on a run that forever changed the course of my life and  my parents' lives. John ran to the north end of the island and found a little house for sale -- just the right house for my parents. That house and Block Island have provided my family with immeasurable joy. It has been in the family for 42 years and hopefully will remain so for many more. We have John to thank for that discovery and all the Block Island magic since then. Here is a photo of me and John from that weekend in 1979.

Dear darling friends ... thank heaven for all the laughter we've shared. John's wonderful delighted light, his smile, will just be shining forever. Special to our hearts are your wedding  in the Hamptons,  our stays on Block Island and our visits to your terrace and the wonderful meals inside and out.  George had the most splendid 50th birthday party because you hosted that fun occasion in your home. John came to one of our first poetry gatherings and recited Gerard Manley Hopkins' "God's Grandeur".  More poetry gatherings followed at 275 Central Park West on other St. Pat's Days ... you hosting.  Also wonderful is the memory of John's trip to Ireland with Gabby for her Irish dance competitions.  We LOVE that that dad of dads would do her hair, and I'm sure there were some specific requirements for him to meet.  John has been blessed with 3 of the most intelligent, talented and lovely girls we've ever met. We will continue to hold him most dear.  We hope you find some comfort knowing how blessed our family feels to have shared these memories  with you.  Love from Marty & George,  Shannon and Robbie and Jennifer


Dear John Bloomgarden, 
I wish I would've known you better. I write your whole name because it is so beautiful! 
I read the testimonies of your friends and family here, and I see that your life truly was a life of tending to the garden of your heart, of your talents, of your family, and friends. So many blooms!
A life is so much more than some years. I do believe life is eternal, though the physical may not be (I wish it was).
God bless you John. I am honored to have met you those few times I did. Thank you for loving my cousin Alba so, and for loving your girls Gaby and Nina so!
I'm so happy you could lead a life of love with your family, warming that great home I visited. 
John, I mean this when I say God bless you. Wish I could've known you better, but one day I know we'll talk.
My dear cousin Alba, Gaby and Nina, keep nurturing those blooms in the garden of your lives. Your love, your daddy will be with you every step cheering you on. Love travels the distance.

Sincerely,
Gloria

John’s beautiful smile, shy and sweet is the picture that will always stay in my heart.  What an amazingly kind and caring person. We lived on opposite coasts, but I always looked forward to seeing him.   He was a great listener and such a wonderful dad. When my girls would play with Gaby and Nina, I felt safe knowing John was keeping an eye on them. 

How his eyes sparkled when he looked at his girls!!  The love he had for them was so profound; and then there was the love he shared with Alba…beautiful, epitomizing everything that a husband and wife should be.  I loved seeing them together. 

Alba, Gaby and Nina, one thing I’ve learned through my own recent loss is that love never dies. John is forever. 

Raul and I are here for you always, Mimi

It was with great sorrow that I learned my dear friend and college roommate, John, had passed away. He was without question one of the kindest, gentlest people I ever had the pleasure of knowing. One of the great paradoxes of John's life was that he was raised in the company of famous stars of stage and screen-- because his father was a famous Broadway producer--and yet he remained extremely shy and modest.
One small, funny incident illustrates this paradox. John and I were employed by his father to disassemble the set to the play "Equus." At some point during our labors, his father brought a stunning young woman to meet John. Her name was Karen Black and she had a starring role in the play and in many subsequent performances, most notably, "5 Easy Pieces.".
It just so happened that as she approached, John had been preparing to light one of his infernal cigarettes. He was so flustered at meeting this upcoming star that he disposed of his cigarette by putting it sideways into his mouth, smoldering at one end, and kind of soggy in the middle. Not exactly the coolest presentation, but I have no doubt that Ms. Black was charmed by his amiable discomfort and his obviously loveable nature.
We always had a good laugh about that funny little episode, maybe even while we sat in the mud at Woodstock together. But that's another story. He was a genuinely dear man, through and through, even as a young man when that quality is quite rare. The world is a lonelier place without him.

Queridas Alba Renée, Gaby y Nina,
Lamentamos profundamente el sensible fallecimiento de John. Les enviamos nuestras sentidas condolencias.
Rogamos porque El Señor les conceda fortaleza en estos momentos difíciles de tanto dolor y que les permita encontrar consuelo en el recuerdo de todos los  bellos momentos compartidos. 
Siempre lo recordaremos por su amabilidad y simpatía. 
Nunca olvidaré sus visitas a Boston para acompañarnos en  dos momentos importantes de mi vida. 
Un abrazo al cielo para John y todo nuestro cariño para mi querida prima y sus lindas hijas. 
No olviden que nuestros seres queridos nunca se van. Vivirán por siempre en nuestro corazón. 


To my kind-hearted Uncle John,

You were a special uncle to me — the one who lived in New York and raised my cousins on the opposite coast — and I am going to really miss you. Because of the distance, we would only see each other a couple times a year, but thinking back to the times we had together, I think of times when you would be so patient with your crazy daughters and I. I can only imagine how difficult we may have made it all those Christmas Eves and long summers at Mamita’s house. Although I didn’t know it back then, I know now that I will always be striving to cultivate the patience you so easily practiced. 

It always stunned me how welcoming you were to every single person (family, family friends, friends of friends) when they would visit your home on Central Park West. One of my fondest childhood memories was flying to NYC by myself to stay with all of you for a whole week. It was the best version of a summer you could ask for as a six year-old, being in a new city with your cousins who felt like sisters. The not-so-fun part was being away from my parents and feeling homesick every night. You  and Aunt Alba always comforted me at night and you let Aunt Alba lie next to me until I fell asleep. That must have been exhausting (and annoying) and I never thanked you for that.

Although I couldn’t quite grasp the extent of your patience and kindness at the time, it will be how I always remember you — along with the incredible children you raised that I will also keep my eye on (especially that one whose name rhymes with Bo-Bina). I look up to both of them in different ways, but both have this incredible creativity and drive for making their dreams a reality — a true reflection of you & Aunt Alba’s work.

Rest easy, Uncle John. To my Aunt Alba and two cousins, I send you all my love, always.

I think it was back in 1971 -- we were 6 years out of high school and a couple of springs out of college and John was living in London, doing what I can't remember, only that he had a floor I could sleep on and, more importantly, he had a European student ID.  With that ID, I could get a discounted student fare on the cross channel ferry and spend a week in Paris. Generously, (as always) he lent me his card and I headed off to Southhampton, got off the bus, got on the line for the ferry and though I was tenth on line,  I noticed that the French passport people had set up shop on the British side. They wanted to see tickets and passports. This wasn't good.
My passport said my name was Robert Krulwich. My student ID said my name was John Bloomgarden. I couldn't be both. So frantically I began trying to rub out John's name from his card before I got to the head of the line. I was spitting on my hand and trying moisten and remove the J, then the O, then the H, of his first name when the girl in front of me -- a very cute girl -- looked at what I was doing and smiled knowingly  and when she got to the head of the  line,  she had "an accident", dropping her purse, then her carry-on, spilling stuff on the floor and she kept dropping things until the folks in charge just waved me through. I spent the next four days with that girl and  going to museums, getting into libraries,  visiting the Sorbonne, all those times I had to be "John Bloomgarden",  and what a time it was -- as I told  John when I came back to his flat, but now, all these years later,  I'm sitting here realizing that one of the highlights of my young life -- those blissful days --  I owe, curiously, to the fact that I could be him, in Paris, calling myself John.   So, I guess this is one more chance....belatedly, but why not? -- to say "thank you., John. Little gifts get bigger when you look back. 

We were the luckiest couple on earth, having John and Alba at our wedding in 1997!  John was the kindest soul, chatting with family all night, and Alba Renee sang “Ave Maria” at the Church ceremony - as an Angel from Above! We were Blessed having them there - and the world a better place with John’s kindness each day.  God Bless his family and May he rest in eternal peace.  With love, the. Vela4

We met John and Alba at our Lamaze class and became friends over milkshakes at the diner after classes. Together we learned how to become parents and shared many days in the park, dinners on the beautiful terrace and holidays and birthdays in both our homes. We had lively, interesting discussions, watched our children grow and mostly laughed a lot. When I think of John, I see his warm engaging smile that emanated kindness and love. He will be greatly missed by all who had the good fortune to know. 
With much love,
Esther, Mitchell, Sammy and Sophie

 I always will remember how kind and loving both John and Alba were to our whole family when we were in NY during the last days of my grandmother Violet's life.  She was John's aunt - his father, Kermit, was her youngest brother.  During such a sad time, John and Alba welcomed us all into their home and made that time sweet as well as sad.  I didn't know John very well, I think the age difference was too much when we were children, and as an adult, I didn't come to NY very often (I live in California). I will always think of John with deep gratitude for how he helped us through a hard time.

I miss my uncle. John has been like a parent to me always, but especially since I moved to New York 8 years ago. John and Alba have taken me in for months at a time, looked after me when I was sick, attended events at my college, and helped me move. I am so grateful for them both being there for me. When John helped me move into apartments in quiet suburbs in Brooklyn or Queens, he would always say he was so excited to see a new part of the city. A true Manhattanite. 

I always loved hearing about his film projects, his brief time studying architecture, and his recent study of animation. I have many memories, but one is when I took a video of him from behind, walking through Greenwich Village one night after Gaby graduated from The New School. He was walking briskly, just ahead of everyone, looking around sharply at the neighborhood and people. I took the video because I remember thinking he looked at one with his city. This photo is from that. 

I love you, John. To Nina, Gaby, and Alba, I love you and I'll see you soon. 

John was my cousin-in-law married to my cousin Alba. He was an adoring husband and father. Loved his wife and two daughters to pieces. He was the kindest person I ever met. Always a genuinely caring person, we’d get together for family gatherings and we’d always have conversations as if time did not pass, always interested in knowing about how you were doing and recalling what we spoke of last. A great listener who had a way of making you feel good and had good advice, if you needed it.  A classy person to the core.  Alba, Gaby and Nina, May the wonderful memories you have of John comfort you all forever and know he is always with you in your heart. I love you guys! 

Love 

Debbie Dardón and Family

Alba, Gaby and Nina - there are simply no adequate words for me to share completely how much I ache for each of you at the loss of your precious husband and father - a man obviously loved and respected by many (and deservedly so).  I send you the hugest virtual hug and invite you to reach out anytime you need an ear.  

I wish that distance hadn't deprived me of getting to be fully immersed in John's and the girl's daily lives, but on every occasion that I saw John and saw him interact with the three of you, there was no denying his kind, genial manner with a hint of what looked an awful lot like a terrific sense of humor bubbling up behind that sweet smile.  This makes me smile just thinking of it.  

Alba, my dear cousin, in times of great pain over John's passing, just stop and think that John picked YOU to be his forever gal - his spirit animal, if you will.  Just knowing that you were his chosen one (and you his), should bring you some measure of solace.  It was real.  You two were real.  That is your gift.  

Gaby and Nina - I hope that the memory of every chat, every outing, every moment you spent with your amazing dad puts a smile on your faces (even if it's with a tear in the eye) because even death cannot take all of that away from you; nor can it rob you of hearing his voice in your heads as he spurs you on to rise up from this terrible blow to forge through life and reach your dreams as you know he would have wanted.  

While it's terribly frustrating and unfair that John is no longer here in a tangible way, I have no doubt that his gentle soul is now a wonderful addition to the stars shining brightly above us all.  

My condolences also go out to all of John's extended family and friends as you grieve his passing.  

May John rest in peace unencumbered by the chains of physical pain and suffering.  

Sincerely & with all my love, Arleen

Dearest John,

Thank you for always welcoming me and Patrick into your home. You and Alba were always a huge source of comfort for me when I moved out to New York, and I wish I’d taken the time to tell you how much I appreciated that when I had the chance. I was so thankful to know that warmth and family were just a short ride up the B line, and you never hesitated to share a beautiful dinner (your roast chicken!), to lay out a beautiful lox spread for brunch, and let me sleep on your couch on an extra snowy evening.

Another true reflection of your character is just how sweet and loving you were to Mamita. Having your mother in law stay for a month at a time is not always an easy feat :) but I always saw you care for her, spend time with her and delight her by taking the time to walk her through the park. You had such a big heart.

I will always remember you as being soft spoken, incredibly caring, and kind. You asked questions and were genuinely interested in hearing the answers. But most of all, you loved your girls deeply and truly - all three of them.

Thank you for your kindness and generosity and love. We will miss you and think of you always.

Love,
Alex

I will remember my Uncle John most for his kindness and angelic-like gentleness. I remain in awe of the way he carried himself always with a quiet but tangible warmth and love for his family. 

We lived on opposite sides of the country and did not see each other often, but when we did, I always enjoyed our effortless talk of sports: my Los Angeles teams versus his New York teams. He was a sports-aholic like me - I think he just hid it better.  I loved him for that. 

Rest easy Uncle John. You may be gone physically, but you live on in Aunt Alba, Gaby, and Nina. I see your kindness and intellect in all three of them. 

To my Aunt Alba and cousins Gaby and Nina, I love you with all my heart and I will always be here for you.

Dearest John,
I am so sad you have left us. I have so many memories around your kitchen table, the warmth and love for your girls, for our wonderful Alba. Your kindness and your generosity towards me and Conor and Dev. You always made me feel strong and empowered
You taught me the importance of The New York Times, Rachel Maddow and how to park the car on alternate street cleaning days on 88th with a note on the windshield, and not to sell myself short. Remember? I always will remember my first time on line for tickets for Shakespeare in the Park and ordering coffee and breakfast sandwiches from guys on the bike. And Vermont! You, Alba and Nina came to Vermont! Rest in peace John. Thank you for everything.

John and I were classmates at Riverdale for many years. I knew him then as a person of exceptional warmth, kindness, creativity, and intelligence, I’m sure that he carried on and grew in  these qualities throughout his life.  My deep condolences to his family. 

John and I. were co-editors in chief of the 1965 Riverdalian our high school yearbook. I remember  giddy meetings of what must have been the editorial board. I rember cheerily discussing layouts and dedications to teachers we liked best (we were no doubt drunk with our power to decide who to honor) but I have no idea of how we did it - except that he was totally easy to work with and we did it together. We drifted down different paths after school , but I remember him fondly, if idiosyncratically as a fullback on some soccer team blasting a ball over my head - a bruiser at the time. Its wonderful to hear of the joys you all shared these past 6 decades.  A good full life indeed.

Bob Rosenheck

I loved and will miss my brother-in-law, John, very much.  His dedication as a father and husband, and dignity as a person, sense of social obligation are qualities that moved and inspired  everyone close to him. He leaves behind a large family that will always remember him simply as a good man, an example to us all. 

We are very saddened by our brother-in-law's passing. We have fond memories of all the times we have shared... Block Island, New York, Hollywood, Glendale... 
His gentle attitude and loving way always made us feel so special.  Our memories are full of all the love he showed us by accepting us into his home with open arms whenever we visited. We remember rowing boats in Central Park with John and Alba when Melissa, Alex, and I stayed with him in the early 90s. I have a great picture of him at the time with what I remember as John with "big hair."  
We will greatly miss him, and we will never forget his loving ways. John, we love you. Alba, Nina, and Gaby, we love you too, and we will always be here for you. Godspeed, John Bloomgarden, you will forever be in our hearts.

We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of our wonderful friend and neighbor John Bloomgarden.  John was an extraordinary presence in our building on the Upper West Side. For a long time, he was the President and Facilitator of our Tenants Association which involved facilitating difficult meetings in our lobby with tenants who weren't always such wonderful listeners. John and his amazing wife Alma, were a vibrant couple with two very special daughters.  He had so much life in him!  My wife, Barbara and I as well as our daughter Amy who went to the same summer camp John went to when he was a kid, all are deeply saddened by John's passing. It's an awful day in our building and our lives todoay.

OBITUARY

John Bloomgarden

December 3, 1947 – October 11, 2021

Riverside Memorial Chapel

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