Edward Blum

Fort Lauderdale (Formerly of Colonie) - Edward "Ed" Blum, 74, passed away on Saturday, January 27, 2018 at Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Fittingly, while taking one last cruise around South America, he contracted pneumonia, which exacerbated some pre-existing conditions and led to his passing.
Ed was born on December 23, 1943 in Albany, NY to Edward Sr. and Bertha (Beck) Blum. He graduated from Colonie Central High School, and then earned a Bachelor's degree in Accounting from Siena College, and a Master's of Business Administration degree from Cornell University. Outside of the classroom, he pursued further academic endeavors as a member of the Mensa society.
He began his career as a finance analyst with IBM before assuming leadership roles with Rose Ready Mix and Parkway Vending Service while living in the Binghamton, NY area. He relocated to Philadelphia in the mid 80's and began working for the IRS. During his 20+ year career with the IRS, he held a number of increasingly responsible positions in the Revenue, Appeals, and Training groups at their offices in the Washington D.C., Miami, and Fort Lauderdale areas. Ed also had a lifelong commitment to being an educator. He was extremely proud of the many students he taught as a professor at Broome Community College, The State University of New York at Binghamton, and Stockton University.
He loved to cook, was enamored with Bob Dylan and the Beatles, routinely attended German folk festivals, and even played in a men's ice hockey league. He thoroughly enjoyed a good beer, and kept sporting a Tom Selleck style moustache long after it had gone out of style! Above all else, he had a burning desire to travel and see the world. In his younger years, this passion translated into ski trips, attending Formula One races, and visiting cities all over the world where he always seemed to know the best places to go. In his later years, he satisfied this urge to explore by going on cruises to exotic destinations. You could see how happy it made him when he got to share those experiences with his boys and the women he shared his life with over the years.
Ed is predeceased by his parents and his first wife Sandra Blum. He is survived by his Sons: Mark and Elliot Blum, his Daughter-in law Lori Blum, Grandchildren: Andrew, Daniel, and Jack Blum, and his close companion for the last several years, Susan Klein.
Visitation will be from 10 am to 12 pm on Saturday, February 10, at New Comer Cremations & Funerals, 343 New Karner Road, Colonie, NY. A celebration of Ed's life will be held at 12 pm at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Memory Gardens Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Ed's name to: American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123,https://donate3.cancer.org/
Online condolences can be left on Ed Blum's Memorial Tribute at www.newcomeralbany.com.