Tribute from Vicki Nathan

Tribute from Vicki Nathan (David’s cousin)

Hi everyone,

I’m sitting here in TA, after just finishing preparing my brisket for Friday night, and thinking

of you all…..and imagining how David would have been woofing in the aroma were he here

today….be it brisket in TA, or Meatballs and Rice pudding in Caulfied, (I’m guessing)

where would we all be without the “Marys” of this world who come to our rescue with comfort for the soul and stomach, and the “Davids”, who despite their size and physical weakness choose to fight as hard as they can, rather than give in.

When we were kids growing up, playing cowboys and Indians, David never really wanted to

play…he preferred staying upstairs in the kitchen at Balwyn, making tea and scones, watching and laughing at us all from the window through the rose bushes….who would have imagined he would end up fighting so hard just for one more day…one more night, if only to be in his kitchen…..or in his garden, just to be there….

He’s gone now, but it doesn’t seem that he is…I can’t quite grasp it, and he is swirling in my head….in fact he feels more alive than ever, looking down at us, criticizing whether we did caramelize, didn’t caramelize, remarking that the plate isn’t warm enough, or the shallots not quite in season….his fickleness so much a part of his personality, that sometimes, all we want to tell him is David, just shut up and let’s eat.

Yep, like so many other things he did, his heart and soul was in every granule of everything he did, and his personality permeated it, like gravy to meat.

We will all miss him, especially in Balwyn, and Richmond and Olinda…all those places where kitchen was his home, and home his kitchen, and like the genie in the bottle, there will always be a place for him at your family dinners when he pops up out of nowhere…because that’s what he gave you….in his mother’s absence, that wonderful warm feeling of sitting around the dinner table en famille that feels right, good, and home. And boy did he love Melbourne, and did he love home. So I’m grateful to whomever, that his last moments were at home, and that his memory will continue to live on in your homes forever…

Titled “Death of David Bloom” a graveside service celebrating your life, at the Springvale Botanical Cemetery Princes Hwy, Jewish Memorial Garden 1 Row CU Grave 13 on February 14th, Valentine’s Day, from a very fragile Ross, just about said it all. 

What more can one say…our tributes are pale compared to that… the fight you have endured, the life you relished and embraced, cut short by nothing but an unlucky number, and the exemplary commitment and devotion your loving partner Ross showed you in this horrendous struggle to fight the inevitable.

You fought like a Prince, and Princes Hwy you shall travel forever in our memories. You celebrated life with a passion for all that was aesthetic, musical, and tasteful, savoring details and appreciating refinement in everything around you. Even if you couldn’t afford something you relished in its beauty and perfection, be it a piano, a piece of furniture, a piece of equipment that worked well, a sonata played just the way it should be played. David, you were such a man of letters, in your own simple, eccentric style, and your love for those you cared about was so apparent that you could never hold it in; it gushed and oozed from you from every corner of your being…your love of friends, and good food, and French culture and language, and the Harpsichord, and French polish, your mother’s old Kenwood transformed into sculpture, and shallots, and chocolates, and chestnuts, and hard boiled eggs not too well cooked on the salad darling you used to say…and lunch in the garden and scones in the afternoon….you always liked things just so, as they should be….and even though I can’t be here with you today, I know that things will be just so, and as they should be, and how you wanted to say your last good-bye.

We will always remember you, love you, and never forget your boundless generosity of heart. After your first visit to Israel you were so upset by my inadequate kitchen equipment that after returning to Melbourne you sent me a huge box of the most exquisite French baking pans and accessories that money could buy…I still have them all…even the strawberry plucker…and the little china Dutch shoes that you brought the girls from Holland…everything you did David was always imbued with thought and meaningful intention down to the last detail… I just wish we would have had many more years and time to grow old together…but I have to count my blessings… I’m grateful for the childhood memories we shared, we had a beautiful childhood together, in Balwyn, Frankston, and Brighton, your two visits to Israel, and our two recent visits with you and Ross in Olinda, to feel and know the life that you had grown to love. But mostly to have been loved by you too….

David, you are at home now, your final resting place, in a Botanical garden close to the soil, close to your parents, ….sleeping peacefully, and no longer tied in that straight jacket of anger and pain. Nearby are the many friends and neighbors who were a part of journeys ago. May your soul rest in peace knowing that you lived the life you were given as best as you could, you loved and were loved by many, and you will always be in our hearts and our homes forever.

Ecclesiastes 3

For everything there is a season, a time for every experience under heaven:
A time to be born and a time to die,
A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted,
A time to tear down and a time to build up,
A time to weep and a time to laugh,
A time to grieve and a time to dance,
A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones,
A time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
A time to seek and a time to lose,
A time to keep and a time to discard,
A time to tear and a time to sew,

A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
 A time to love, and a time to hate;
A time for war, and a time for peace.

—————

Tribute from the Wilsons, Burge family, Emma, Hannah Mark & Michelle

 DEAR DAVID CULLINARY GENIUS, RACONTEUR AND FRIEND

Some years ago Ross and David were fun friends we valued for their wit, wisdom and culinary expertise. One day they appeared at a gathering where I was discussing volunteer work with refugees. I was touched by their support but over tea and biscuits David told me of weakness in his hands. I suddenly felt sick.

A few weeks later we visited Ross and David: the worst had just been confirmed. How, I wondered, could any couple cope with this hideous diagnosis? How could David adapt to loss on so many levels and Ross remain strong?

David insisted they didn’t need food and they were amazingly self-sufficient. The only solution seemed to be flowers. A rhythm of posies began, usually on the way to the hairdresser to get more red put in my hair. David said the red was ridiculous!

As the years unfolded I was witness to an extraordinary journey. Horrendous and engulfing though MND is, David and Ross’s love for each other has shone through every challenging and demeaning process. David’s courage has been extraordinary and Ross’s caring stupendous.

My heart aches for Ross but I feel so much admiration for both David and Ross. They have taught me so much about love, living and what really matters in life.

So much love to you both Janet and Douglas.

--------------------------

Our thoughts and memories of David Bloom. David came yearly to our home in Warrandyte to tune our Lipp piano, which had been a gift to our family from our close friend and former music teacher. So this piano was special to us and we were delighted when David was recommended by local music teacher and oldfriend, (the now late) Ann Arnold.I loved David’s expectation of quiet for his work, his undivided attention to the tuning process, but then his willingness for a chat after the job was finished. We talked of travel,gardens, pets, renovations, the bush and food – things in which we had a common interest. It was a mark of a strong man, who felt great responsibility to his clients, that David advised us of his diagnosis of MND and ensured we had an excellent piano tuner in Ben Briggs to take over the care of our piano.We have been privileged to be readers of David and Ross’s blog over the last years, and have enjoyed keeping this contact. Through the blog we have gained more understanding of what they were both facing and spirit in which the illness and its ramifications were being dealt with. What admiration we have felt for David and Ross. Considerable tears have been shed reading the blog, particularly David’s beautiful tribute to Ross written for the MND newsletter. Ross, although we have not met and have only spoken briefly on the phone, please know we are full of admiration for you and now feel such sorrow at the loss of your dear David. Our warm wishes and deep sympathy,

Doreen and Graham Burge

---------------------

David,

Thank you for your wit and humour. Thank you for your love of food and music (two of my favourites as well). Thanks for the hot tips during my time in Masterchef - the 'caramel and the crunch’ got me a long way! Thanks for the emails written in french, and the joy of life that they contained within them. You will be missed, so missed. I would do anything to go to a fancy restaurant with you and to enjoy your critique! You are free now - go get all the things to eat! 

Much love, Emma xoxo

...............................

Dear David,

Your friendship from the time we first met in the 1990's has surprised and honoured me. Your kindness, together with your forthrightness left no doubt about your sincerity.

The spontaneous invitation to join you and Ross on holiday in Gariwerd as a 60h birthday gift, the day spent together in Norwich in 2013 when you came to the UK and my stay with you and Ross in Olinda in 2015 are among precious memories of a dear, kind and brilliant friend. Thank you David.

With much love,

Hannah 

.................

David had many qualities that endeared him to people, among them his cheeky irreverent sense of humour, his hospitality and ability in the kitchen, his openness and honesty. The quality that always stood out for me was David's energy - I always felt he was really living life. The illness robbed him of much of that in his last years, although some of that energy still shone through in his blogs. I want to remember David at his best, full of life.

Mark

.........................

I have been thinking of you since I arrived in New York on a business trip in the early hours of Friday morning here. Your message was the first I saw when I turned my phone on after the flight.

Although we knew how much he suffered with this horrible disease, I was relieved to read that David passed away in his sleep. 

I'v been thinking about my friendship that spanned more than 30 years and wish to say the following as my written tribute:

David was my wonderful, dearest friend for more than 30 years. We met when he came to Sydney to study piano tuning at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. He came to the Rushcutter's Bay Bowling Centre and joined the Sydney Maccabi bowling group that met on Sunday evenings. We named our team "David's Dolly's". This is where our incredible friendship began.

David, there aren't enough words to describe how much I will miss you as I reflect on so many memories. Amazing trips, meals, marathon telephone conversations between Melbourne, Olinda and Vancouver...so many special times. There was no other friend with whom I had such a unique both. We knew one another better than we knew ourselves.

I will cherish our friendship forever.

Michelle

--------------------------------

Tribute from Liz, Rhonda, Sue & Bob, Richards family

Lovely David Bloom, my friend who has been with me as I have travelled through more than half of my life. Right now, I can’t say good-bye because I am not ready... living without you now is something I can’t imagine.

Rather, today, I want you to know that I can’t thank the universe and our lives enough for
bringing us together.

I love our friendship because you let me be. You didn’t ask me to be someone or something else. You celebrated my wins, encouraged me and loved me through all of my frailties.

My wish is that you know this feeling was totally mutual and please say you feel the same.

I wish I knew that the last time I saw you would be just that. I know this is a selfish wish because it comes with some idea that I would have done things differently and talked about things that matter now. I guess I just wish I knew that, that was the time to finally let down my guard, the hard exterior I put up when your illness began that I thought would protect us both, and tell you everything I feel about us and how I just would not be me, had not been such a beautiful part of my life.

But when I left, you came out to the car and we said good-bye for the third time there. Normally there was just one good bye, maybe two if I lingered, but three – I feel blessed.

My thoughts are still in present and so David Bloom please know that you are a beautiful, meaningful and ever-shining presence in my life. You helped make me the Pussy I am now, and I will celebrate everything in my life with you and seek your encouragement and guidance through all of my days.

Love always, Pussy x

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thank you David for loving my brother

For sharing your life with him

Giving him many happy years

We will miss your quirky ways

Your generous heart

Your sense of humour

We will miss you,

If Memories are diamonds

Our lives are so much richer

For knowing you.

Forever in your hearts

Rest Peacefully, David

Love Rhonda & Dave

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hey David,

We miss you already! Your bright and zestful ways, always real always present. Your laugh, your authenticity, your attention to detail. Passionate, talented & creative.

Full of life, skill & sparkling humour. A ready ear to listen.

A true & trusted friend. We loved sharing meals with you, particularly when you cooked or instructed Ross how to cook.

We admired your courage & determination. And you met your true love Ross, devoted to each other, your love shining brightly.

Ross who helped you through your last few years with such tenderness and bringing joy & love to your darkest days. 

So glad you both celebrated our wedding with us.

Love always Susan & Bob.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

David Bloom

On behalf of the Richards clan, one part of David's extended family, a  few memories:

Beth Richards found a kindred spirit in David - a love of the French language and culture, of fine food and music and with Ross, delight in their garden. Her granddaughter Kate continued the tradition with David, conversing in French when they met.

David and Ross enjoyed giving Alison and Linda, in the early days of their relationship, tips about socialising at gay friendly venues - we never did try out boot scooting which I think they suggested - our loss I'm sure! 

David and Ross's happy and long commitment to each other is an inspiration to us all - an example of a true marriage.

With love,

Alison and Linda, Kate, Zoe and Jessie

Christine and Michael

Robert and Neryl 

Jenny and Ian

Kath and Alan

and families

Tributes from Mandy, Jack, Anita, Ashley and Nicholas

Amanda Librach

I first met David way back in 1986, the year before I married his older brother, Andrew. What a character he was, and how different to his three brothers. Here was a guy who spoke fluent French, was an accomplished patissier and chocolate maker, AND he tuned pianos, and played beautifully. I loved him immediately, he had a great sense of humour, and our conversations were often pretty ribald, as neither of us held back. David had strong views on everything, and we had many debates, often agreeing to disagree. I'm sure I exasperated him many times, but he tolerated me, and we got on well.

David was very honest, sometimes too honest. He said it like it was, with no frills, and bad luck if you didn't like it! I loved that about him, as he was frank and direct, and you always knew where you stood. And he loved my parents, Anita and Jack, and developed a close bond with them, which was a lovely thing for us all.

As the years went by, Andrew and I were divorced, but my connection with David never changed. He made many birthday cakes for the boys' parties when they were young, always delicious, always to his exacting standards. Our sons, Ashley and Nicholas, loved seeing him, and I recall visiting him at his Queen St home in Richmond, and trying to prevent the (quite young) boys from touching the huge bins full of liquored plums, etc., used in his chocolate making.

Then along came Ross, the great love of his life. I had never seen David so happy, and to me, they were the ideal couple, truly a beautiful match.

We were honoured to be at their memorable commitment ceremony, myself and my family, and it was probably the loveliest marriage I ever attended. Even though David had been diagnosed with MND by then, the day was full of love and joy, with the MND very much in the background. To this day, their wedding invitation and photo remain on our fridge, a constant reminder of their great love and happiness.

As the disease progressed, I began to visit Olinda with Ash and Nic, and we always enjoyed the warm hospitality of both David and Ross, in their gorgeous home and garden. We were making memories, and these memories are forever. David fought MND so courageously, with great dignity and strength, right to the end, his ever loving Ross constantly by his side. He called Ross "mon ange", my angel, and he was 100% spot on. Ross is an absolute angel, and I know that David's life was extended considerably by the extraordinary care given by Ross, 24/7, month after month, year after year.

I want to remember the David I always knew, and that David was ever present, even when he could no longer speak, his personality was just as strong. He would give a certain look which always made me laugh, it was the "oh God shutup Mandy!" look, and I'll miss it.

The last time I saw David, very recently before his passing, I followed Ash and Nic in giving him a big, long hug, and telling him that I had always loved him and always would. And that I loved Ross, and he would always be family to me.

Bless you David, I believe you are finally at peace, and with your parents and all loved ones who passed before you. You will always be in my heart, and I will always miss you. I will always be here for Ross, your beloved husband, because I love him too.

Rest in peace David darling, no more suffering, you fought so hard for so long, you have earned your rest.

Love always, Mandy xoxox

 ———-

WE FONDLY REMEMBER OUR DEAR DAVID,MASTER PASTRYCOOK & PIANO TUNER,WHO WOULD DROP IMPROMPTU INTO OUR HOME IN BRIGHTON,WHENEVER HE WAS IN BETWEEN ‘TUNINGS’ OF HIS CLIENTS PIANOS.

HE WOULD SAY ‘I JUST WANT A CUP OF TEA &  WILL ONLY STAY A COUPLE OF MINUTES’,WHICH INVARIABLY STRETCHED OUT TO MANY HOURS.

SOMETIME LATER WE ATTENDED HIS VERY MOVING COMMITMENT CEREMONY TO HIS BELOVED ROSS,& FROM THEN ON,WE ENJOYED HIS HOSPITALITY IN THE GARDEN OF THEIR BEAUTIFUL OLINDA HOME,ALWAYS GOING HOME WITH HOME GROWN PRODUCE.

ALTHOUGH WE DID NOT ATTEND HIS MANY CONCERTS,WE KNOW HOW MUCH HE LOVED HIS MUSIC & HIS PRIDE & LOVE OF HIS GRAND PIANOS.

HIS FRENCH WAS MAGNIFICENT,& HIS BLOGS WERE ALWAYS BILINGUAL.

HIS COURAGE IN ADVERSITY & HIS WILL TO KEEP FIGHTING & LIVE TO THE MAX,WAS EXTRAORDINARY & WE WILL NEVER FORGET HIM.

WE LOVE HIM & WILL MISS HIS UNIQUE PERSONALITY & HE IS NOW FINALLY AT REST WITH NO MORE SUFFERING.

ALL OUR LOVE & FOND MEMORIES OF DAVID,

ANITA & JACK LIBRACH - MANDY’S PARENTS,& ASHLEY & NICHOLAS BLOOM’S GRANDPARENTS

-------------------

Nicholas Bloom

Hey Ross,

I can't possibly understand what you're going through right now, but I'm sure it's an overwhelming range of emotions. I'm also sure you're absolutely inundated with loving and supporting messages, but I wanted to chip in some love to you as well :)

I absolutely love you as family, and even more so, as a family member that I truly respect and care for, find easily relatable and open-minded, and whose company I've always enjoyed. I really appreciate you hosting us so graciously in the past (and I'm already going to thank you in advance for when you host us in the future). Hopefully we can return the favour down the track as well!

I also feel so grateful to have had an opportunity to see you and David together one last time after so much time away overseas. The last day we all shared together was typically lovely and it meant so much to me, particularly the heartfelt final farewell.

From the bottom of my heart, thank-you so much for loving and taking care of my beautiful uncle, especially over the last few years - you're an absolute gem of a human-being.

All my love,

Nic

..................................

Ashley Bloom

In the section marked 'childhood', I've found a few aperçus about uncle David. There were his Richmond home's cloying smoked meats, childhood birthday cakes, instruments receiving the adoration that most folks only reserve for pets, sharp corrections of all those who weren't polite or grammatically savvy, unrestrained laughter, whichever variety of nerdy glasses, support of any and all of my eccentricities, the light-bulb moments around his coming out and mum's braggadocio around being the first to know, the strong sense that this friendly Ross fella was going to be a keeper, and of course, his inimitable blend of serious, silly and empathic.

I began visiting David and Ross's home by myself in my early 20's, where they empathised with my relationship struggles and career disorientation in peaceful surrounds. Their home was a sanctuary that always got me out of my head and its hormonally charged, technology addled thought-streams. It was particularly rare at that point in my life to feel comfortable with emotional vulnerability, and they were among the first people who facilitated that. For that I am very thankful.

Indeed, David and Ross have provided many people with generous hospitality, considerable laughter, and meet even the most unfamiliar topics of discussion with non-judgmental presence and curiosity. One's relationship configuration, material means, politics, religion, age, sexuality and other facets are no matter of consequence - nor for anyone else. If you've been an honest and decent person, you've had friends available in David and Ross.

In October 2012 we sat in Peter's home and heard of David's diagnosis. I was shaken and humbled that night, and it was one of most clear events that has compelled me to appreciate my life more fully. Being sure that we would lose him fairly soon, I wanted to focus more intently on assimilating important lessons that David had to share. So, instead of fleeing worsening disease as some are compelled to, I continued to develop our bonds, and I think we succeeded despite the elephant in the room. I was ill late last year, very emotionally vulnerable, and struggled to visit, so I'm sorry for not being there when things went from bad to even worse.

One of the most magical days I remember, without any need for exogenous influence to be so, was the day of their official union. Mature, true love was celebrated, the weather was perfect, and it remains the only time I've ever seen some long-feuding family members getting along. I remember smiling broadly on numerous occasions at nothing in particular, sober as a judge, so high were the day's vibes.

Last month, I visited David and Ross together for the second last time and spent the whole afternoon and evening together. What I told them was that I saw a moody Buddha who had learned to tolerate and be at peace with unbelievable suffering, and the living saint that was his carer. Despite the finality of physical death, I am comforted that David is free from human suffering, and that Ross's total dedication to his care is relieved.

Thank you, David, for demonstrating the benefit of the craftsman's path, showing me that one can befriend diverse people with integrity, that the raw truth is the immutable essence of things, and that we should remain cheeky if ever our own health should falter and keep us here in suffering.

I love you now, through the remainder of this life, and whatever may follow. May you live on through us and the stories we tell. And may we meet again, somewhere else in the cosmos.

Rest in peace, Dear Uncle. Ashley Bloom

Tribute from the Better Family

Jenny and Nathan’s Tribute

Conversation, music, food, wine and gardens are part of our very long friendship with David.

David was our childhood friend – Nathan knew David for longer than Jenny, but for Jenny, David was her longest standing childhood friend.

We were part of David’s life when his family including his lovely Mother Margot were all around him and we were also part of his life when he was trying to overcome his deep loss after her accident.

David had to learn to stand on his own 2 feet early in life. He and the other Bloom boys were deeply concerned that the culinary standards of their home were maintained. David became a great cook and it was with Ross that he started to appreciate the freshness and quality of “home grown veggies” which again influenced the offerings that came out of his kitchen. The years in the pastry cooking stage of his life were tough, but he was determined to learn and– he finished…. David then became interested in chocolates and we were often the beneficiaries of his talent.

Throughout all, music was important to David and pianos and Mozart  were part of who he was and it was not that surprising that he trained to become a piano tuner. In his adult life this has been who he was  - musical – appreciative of a lovely instrument, a fastidious restorer and honest and forthright in his business.

MND was  beast but David won. He maintained his dignity throughout. He was interested in his life, his family, his Ross, his home, his garden, his friends and the comments of his visitors. He continued to communicate with us  - he was doggedly persistent and kept on trying despite our frustration and slow mindedness with the spelling.. he encouraged and waited for us to catch up..

It was with glee that we saw David’s deep concern for Ross…. tapping him in the leg when he, David, knew that there was a hot meal waiting for Ross – to quote David “just because I can’t eat doesn’t mean Ross should have a cold dinner” ….. even when he was ill he took his interest  and commitment to Ross’ food seriously and it made him feel better knowing Ross was having a lovely meal.

MND is difficult for the person who has it  - it is mightily difficult for the people who closely share the life of that person. Ross and David were in this together – as proven by the Commitment Ceremony that they had soon after David’s diagnosis. It was Ross who shared the intimacy of this illness with David, who did everything for him, who bore him up, and dealt with all. Ross was the person who made David’s survival for so long possible and who graciously served tea and coffee to us visitors who came for short visits and left. Ross to quote Nathan here – “you are an angel and you were so brave -David was lucky to have you”.

The world is a sadder and lonelier place without David William Bloom in it, the long chats around the kitchen table, the comments that the kids need to learn to cook, the damming of the vagaries of the bearish stock market, the old friend who knew all about our lives, the ins and the outs and the ups and the downs, the genuine interest in the things that influenced us..

David we want to think that the next world will be kinder to you and that you know that you will  always be missed.  Jenny and Nathan Better and Family -  Tamara, David Rafi and Ronit