Arthur Eugene Bloomwell passed away in Williamsburg, VA on February 25, 2023 at the age of 89. He is preceded in death by his parents, Arthur Emanuel and Ruth Bloomwell, his sister Bernice Benson, and his beloved wife of 59 years, Joanne Bloomwell. He is survived by his son, Arthur Bloomwell (Kevin), daughter Julia Kassis (Chris), his grandchildren Sarah Bureau (Nick), Michael Kassis, and Charles Kassis, great grandchildren, Jack and Hannah Bureau, and many dear family members and friends.

Gene was born on October 6, 1933 in Erie, PA. He attended North Park College in Chicago, IL, and Penn State University, where he received his BS degree in Chemical Engineering. Upon graduation he joined the U.S. Naval Reserves, and served at the Naval Weapons Station in Yorktown for three years. He met the love of his life, Joanne, and they were married on Gene's last day of active duty on February 27, 1960. Gene began his career with Merck & Co. as a chemical engineer while obtaining his MS in Business from Bucknell University. Julie & Art came along while they lived in Danville, PA. The family moved to Elkton, VA, enjoying being close to Joanne's family in nearby Galax. The family relocated again with Merck to South Plainfield, New Jersey where Gene's career took him into Management Development and Training. Gene retired in 1993 after 33 years of service and they spent the next 15 years travelling internationally, volunteering at Caring Contact Crisis Hotline, Habitat for Humanity and serving in many capacities in the Evangelical Covenant Church. In 2010 they moved to the continuing care community at WindsorMeade in Williamsburg, VA, and made many new friends. Gene continued his myriad lifelong activities of swimming, reading scientific journals, stamp collecting, photography, gardening, teaching Sunday school, playing trumpet, discussing books, making to-do lists, attending lectures and concerts and visiting with friends and family. Gene was a devoted caregiver to Joanne when she developed and succumbed to Alzheimer's in 2019.

A memorial service will be held at Williamsburg United Methodist Church, 500 Jamestown Rd., Williamsburg, VA on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. with a reception immediately following. A funeral service will be held at Camp Zion Church, 109 Camp Zion Rd., Galax, VA on Friday, March 3, 2023. We will gather for a time of visitation at 10:00 a.m. prior to the service at 11:00 a.m.