Herschel Blum

NORFOLK – Herschel Blum passed away on March 29, 2025, just weeks short of his 98th birthday. A private graveside service was held at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Norfolk.

Family – daughters, grandchildren, great grandchildren – and many friends miss him – but celebrate his life and the warmth and caring he shared with them.

Herschel was a lifelong foodie, both as a purveyor and a consumer. He grew up in his family’s corner grocery store in Philadelphia and took the lessons, values, and people skills learned there with him through his long career in the food business. He went on to own grocery stores and supermarkets in Philadelphia. In the 1980s, Herschel and his wife Helene, the love of his life, wrapped up their Philadelphia activities and relocated to Hampton Roads to be nearer to their grandchildren. Herschel and Helene went on to open and operate GreenGrocer Cafe in Norfolk, the GreenTrees restaurant, and the Brown Bag Catering Company.

Herschel was a US Navy World War II veteran. He enjoyed baseball, travelling, his cowboy boots, his dog, and enjoyed sharing anecdotes of his family and friends from his early years in Philadelphia. Herschel loved people and they loved him.

Memorial donations may be made to CHKD – Daniel Nathan Goldstein Children’s Wellness fund and mailed to CHKD Philanthropy Office, PO Box 2156, Norfolk, VA 23501.

Online condolences may be offered to the family at hdoliver.com.