Dr. Douglas W. Bloomquist died on February 11, 2010 following a period of declining health. He was a caring, supportive family man for his wife of 39 years, Paula Fitzgerald Bloomquist, and his daughter, Kathryn Bloomquist, both of Holliston, MA.
Son of the late Loretta and Walter Bloomquist, he grew up in Schenectady, NY and Radnor, PA. After graduating from Bucknell University with B.S. and M.S. degrees, he earned his Ph.D. at Michigan State University. Immediately following, Captain Bloomquist began his military service at the U.S. Army Natick Labs in Natick, MA as a research psychologist.
In 1970 he began teaching at SUNY College in Oneonta, NY. Settling in Holliston three years later, he commenced a long career at Framingham State College, Framingham, MA as professor and past chair of the Psychology Department. He was actively involved in Division II (the educational division) of the American Psychological Association, and in the New England Psychological Association, serving on various committees and as past NEPA president. He retired from full-time teaching in 2006 and continued to lecture as Professor Emeritus. Doug’s wife, an elementary educator in Natick, shared his enthusiasm for education. Combined, their years of teaching totaled 86 years.
Doug really enjoyed volunteering in his community. Active in the Holliston Lions Club for 25 years, he served on numerous committees and as past president, and was honored for his service with a Melvin Jones Award. He reveled in our national pastime. As a boy he avidly followed Major League baseball and the local Schenectady Blue Jays. He carried this fervor to the Bay State where he cheered for the Red Sox, managed the Holliston Lions softball team, and played on Holliston’s vintage Mudville Base Ball Club.
Doug had another passion since childhood-photography. He loved taking pictures to give to others. His daughter, Kathryn, shared his interests, faithfully photographing and attending his games and other sporting events as far away as spring training in Florida.
In addition to his wife and daughter, Doug leaves beloved family members: his brother, Allan Bloomquist and his wife Beth of Contoocook, NH, a niece, Julie Bloomquist Doman, her husband Kurt and children Hannah, Matthew and Emilia of Cedarburg, WI, a niece, Laura Bloomquist Kavanaugh, her husband Tom and sons Will and Sean of Chicago, and a nephew, Andrew Bloomquist, also of Chicago. He also leaves many friends who were dear to him: his classmates, colleagues at Framingham State College, Lions Club members, teammates and neighbors. His family is very grateful to the medical community who cared for him, and the many relatives and friends who offered support during his illness.
A celebration of Doug’s life will be held on Saturday, February 20 at 2:00 PM at the Heineman Ecumenical and Multicultural Center on the Framingham State College campus. Donations honoring his memory may be given to Holliston Lions Club, P.O. Box 6112, Holliston, MA 01746, or to Framingham State College Foundation, 100 State Street, P.O. Box 9101, Framingham, MA 01701. Directions to the college and a campus map can be located at www.framingham.edu.