Nicolass Wilhelmus Blom

Nicolaas (Nick) Wilhelmus Blom, 78 years old of Modesto, California went to be with the Lord on Thursday, October 5, 2017 in Modesto. The son of Cornelius and Maria (Stokman) Blom (deceased), born in Halfweg, Haarlemermeer County, Netherlands, he is survived by his wife of 51 years, Els (Buys) Blom, his 4 children, Ingrid (Mello), Pete, Nick, Marika (Morrison) and 11 grandchildren all in Modesto.
Nick was the 2nd of 9 children in his family, preceded in death by younger brother, Cornelius as a teen and older brother, Piet later in life; surviving siblings Arie, Nellie, Truus, Riet, Koos and Jan all reside in the Netherlands. Nick was the only one of his immediate family to immigrate to the U.S., which he did in 1963.
Publicly known as a tree and vine farmer turned community leader and local politician. Nick served 5 terms as a Stanislaus County Board of Supervisor, District 3, between 1982-2002. During his era the Air Quality Commission was created, a controversial trash/energy converter was built, new County buildings, the Agricultural Center, Juvenile Hall and prayer were brought to Supervisor meetings when Nick became Chairman. He was also a member of Modesto Gateway Rotary and served on numerous boards throughout the Central Valley and was a lifelong Catholic and member of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, Modesto. He and Els are members of The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchure of Jerusalem.
As a family man and friend, Nick was legendary for his generosity, kindness, strength, intelligence and quick-wit wielded brilliantly by his heavy Dutch accent. The saying "he never knew a stranger" aptly described Nick as well as his lifelong pursuit of learning.
In lieu of flowers a memorial may be sent to: The Nick W. Blom Library in Salida, Ca. Special thanks to the staff at Doctors Medical Center for their care during Nick's last days.
"Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies" Mother Teresa