THE PASSING OF A TRUE YMCA FRIEND, PETER BLUM
It is with tremendous sadness we share that our good friend Peter Blum passed away on Monday, January 23, 2023. Peter grew up in Peoria, Illinois and as he told it, practically lived at the YMCA when he was a child. In 1969, he along with a few other community leaders came together to plan the construction of a YMCA in Boca. After a great deal of perseverance and hard work, their dream turned into reality and the YMCA of Boca Raton was officially incorporated in 1972.
The Y was always a special place for Peter. For many years, he would enjoy stopping by our Preschool to visit and read to the young children. He was once quoted as saying, “We just welcome everybody (at the Y). It’s a safe place, it’s affordable, it’s a family center. It’s more than I ever thought.” Peter remained engaged with our Y for more than 50 years and is responsible for bringing on many major donors and supporters, including Richard and Helen DeVos, Eugene and Christine Lynn, William B. Ziff, Jr. and so many more. He was a great friend who has left an amazing legacy in this community.
In the near future, through YMCA gatherings and events, we will be paying tribute to Peter’s legacy as a man of strong leadership, great vision and clear moral purpose. He was a founding member of our YMCA, served as our 4th Board Chair (1978), led capital campaigns to build both our YMCA campuses, and was a member of our Heritage Club. Our YMCA’s highest honor, the Peter Blum Legacy Award, is presented annually to an individual or couple for outstanding service and dedication to the YMCA of South Palm Beach County.
We will miss Peter’s laugh, gentle demeanor, and most notably his commitment to help kids and families through “his” YMCA.
Peter’s wife, Mary, and family will host a Celebration of Life at St. Mark’s Roman Catholic Church on Monday, February 6, 2023 at 1:00pm. (643 NE Fourth Avenue, Boynton Beach, FL 33435).
To honor Peter’s love for the YMCA and the community, his family suggests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The Y (YMCA), 6631 Palmetto Circle South, Boca Raton, FL 33433, or Bethesda Hospital Foundation, 2815 South Seacrest Boulevard, Boynton Beach, FL 33435. For more information about donating to the YMCA in Peter’s honor and memory, please contact Kadi Tarlecky at Ktarlecky@ymcaspbc.org, or CLICK HERE
Our heartfelt thoughts are with his family during this truly difficult time.
Jason Hagensick
President & CEO
YMCA OF SOUTH PALM BEACH COUNTY
CLICK HERE to leave a note to the family.
