Former Headmaster John Bloom Remembered For Integrity, Leadership
A Funeral Mass will be held for John Bloom on Saturday, November 5, 2016 at 10am at St. Cecilia's Church, 18 Belvidere Street in Boston. Calling hours will be prior to the service beginning at 8:30. Interment at Spring Grove Cemetery in Andover is private. Find the complete obituary on the Boston Globe website.
It is with sadness that Worcester Academy shares news of the death of former headmaster John A. Bloom, whom many credit with having saved the Academy from closing due to low enrollments in the 1970s.
Mr. Bloom, who was headmaster from 1974 to 1985, previously taught history and urban affairs at Worcester Academy. He coached wrestling and soccer as well as being a vital part of the residential community, along with wife Nancy and the couple’s five children. His tenure at WA began in 1958.
Reaction to Mr. Bloom’s passing yesterday morning was swift, unapologetically praiseworthy, and warm.
“John Bloom was one of the all stars of Worcester Academy, having served the school for nearly 30 years,” said Henry Dormitzer ’88, president of the Worcester Academy Board of Trustees. “As headmaster, his leadership in the ’70s and ’80s kept the school on firm financial footing through a challenging economic situation. We are all grateful for his contributions and honor his memory."
Head of School Ron Cino agreed.
“John Bloom’s legacy as an inspirational teacher and administrator remains strong at Worcester Academy,” Head of School Cino stated. “Every year, I speak with alumni who name him as one of their most memorable and influential people because of his personal commitment to excellence, his integrity, and the ways in which he encouraged and drove his students to be their best.
“Knowing John and his wonderful family has been a great privilege,” he said. “I am so grateful for the cherished memories and accumulation of wisdom I will keep from my time with John.”
“Bloom Saved The Ship”
John Bloom, 27th Headmaster of Worcester Academy, was succeeded by Ben Williams, who was followed John McKenzie, two headmasters whose own contributions were built on gains made by their predecessor.
In fact, a December 2006 Hilltopper alumni magazine notes, “Mr. Bloom saved the ship from sinking, Mr. Williams steadied it, and Mr. Mackenzie got it moving forward again.” John Bloom quite literally saved WA when its very existence was in question, it was noted.
Among Mr. Bloom’s most defining contributions were the establishment of the urban affairs program, and the opening of new markets for independent school recruitment, including Iranian students fleeing the turmoil of the Iran during his time at the helm.
Brian O’Connell ’67, secretary of the Worcester Academy Trustees, notes that enrollment was down 40 percent when John Bloom became headmaster. During the decade that followed, Mr. Bloom restored faculty and staff confidence in the viability of WA, implemented new revenue-producing opportunities, intensified fundraising and student recruitment work—including visiting Iran, streamlined his administration, encouraged and supported his faculty, created and inspired new professional development opportunities for them, Mr. O’Connell said.
Mr. Bloom also worked closely with the board of trustees to strengthen both the financial viability of WA and its esteem within both its community and independent schools nationally, he said.
The way Mr. O’Connell remembers him most, however, is as a teacher, mentor, and friend.
“Inspired Independent School Leadership”
“He remains to me today the epitome of inspired independent school leadership—proof of what can be accomplished in the face of significant obstacles through a mixture of energy, determination, integrity, common sense, wisdom, persistence, and courage,” Mr. O’Connell said.
“He is one of the true paragons of WA—the leader I cite frequently today at our Board meetings who, by his far-sighted decisions and actions 30 and 40 years ago, did so much to make possible the education WA is now offering its students well into the 21st century,” he added.
Dana Levenson ’75, a WA trustee, recalls John Bloom as “the right person at the right time for WA.” Mr. Levenson adds capital improvements to the list of achievements John Bloom was able to accomplish as headmaster.
“John was blessed with the intellect of a fine teacher and the mind of a superb manager. He was responsible not only for getting WA back on its feet, but he also set the stage for the success the school enjoys even now,” he said.
John Bloom leaves his wife, Nancy, and their children Nadine (Bloom) Hill ’75, Derek Bloom ’77, Glenn Bloom ’79, Grant Bloom ’81, and Leigh (Bloom) Cowdrick ’84.
Additional reactions to John Bloom’s death, including complete comments from those interviewed for the story above, follow below.
Reaction To The Passing Of John Bloom
“John Bloom is best known as the Worcester Academy Headmaster who saved the school in the early 1980s by traveling to Iran and enrolling large numbers of Iranian full-pay students.”
Dexter Morse
30th Head of School at Worcester Academy
“My sister Kate and I along with are families are saddened with the passing of John Bloom and want to extend our deepest sympathies to Nancy and her family. Over the years our families shared many memories with the Blooms. Kate and I are grateful for John and Nancy’s many kindnesses that they extended to us after the unexpected passing of our father. Kate and I remember him as an avid Red Sox fan that loved watching his beloved Sox play while he was sitting in the bleachers at Fenway Park. Later on we laughed together and shared many stories when my husband and I bought their former home on Berwick Street here in Worcester where they lived prior to moving into Abercrombie House.”
Kristina (Macko) Geenty ’81 &
Katrina (Macko) Dengal ’84
“I was sorry to hear about john. No cared more about Worcester Academy than John. He involved himself in every aspect of the school. Without any doubt he kept it alive. Without his commitment to the school, I don’t think it would still be here today. John deserves all the credit for that kind of dedication.”
Ben Williams
28th Headmaster of Worcester Academy
“John Bloom was my history teacher and soccer coach. When I got into the Hall of Fame, I dedicated my induction to my teachers who gave me voice. John Bloom was among them. He was a transformational teacher and he was a fighter who fought to keep the school afloat during some very difficult times. John was instrumental in the school's survival and he deserves all the credit in the world for pulling out all the stops to keep us going. He really was very much a savior of the school.”
David Forsberg ’65
Former President of the Board of Trustees
“The finest qualities that characterize Worcester Academy today—and perhaps its very existence—it can trace directly to the leadership, inspiration, wisdom, enthusiasm, and tenacity of John Bloom.
“A truly gifted teacher, John came to WA directly from undergraduate studies at Brown, in 1958. During the next 16 years, he taught, coached, and served as dormitory master, counselor, adviser and mentor to hundreds of students, inspiring in so many of them—myself included—a love of academics, athletics, and the distinctive qualities and values of WA. John built ties to the Worcester community that continue to grow, mature, evolve, and endure today.”
Brian O’Connell ’67
Secretary of the Board of Trustees
“Nobody left John’s classroom or his office without learning something important, and I can say the same of even my most casual conversations with him over the years. In fact, I was able to read some of his papers from 40 years ago when I first assumed headship, and many elements of his academic and institutional vision remain relevant and part of Worcester Academy’s program today. I am so grateful for the cherished memories and accumulation of wisdom I will keep from my time with John. “
Ron Cino
Worcester Academy Head of School
“John Bloom was the right person at the right time for WA. Times were tough when he took the post of Headmaster, with a depressed enrollment and a pressing need for large capital improvements. John was blessed with the intellect of a fine teacher and the mind of a superb manager. He was responsible not only for getting WA back on its feet, but he also set the stage for the success the school enjoys even now.”
Dana Levenson ’75
Trustee
About Worcester Academy
Worcester Academy is an independent co-ed day and boarding school for grades 6 to 12 and postgraduates. Our urban setting, diverse community, and innovative curriculum provide each student with unique opportunities for self-discovery, academic achievement, and personal empowerment. Visit us at www.worcesteracademy.org
About Worcester Academy
Worcester Academy is an independent co-ed day and boarding school for grades 6 to 12 and postgraduates. Our urban setting, diverse community, and innovative curriculum provide each student with unique opportunities for self-discovery, academic achievement, and personal empowerment. Visit us at www.worcesteracademy.org
For more information, contact the Worcester Academy Admission Office at 508-459-5841 or email admission@worcesteracademy.org
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