Samiu Bloomfield gestures at passing motorists in March 2016. He died Sunday at 70 years old. (Kevin Clark / Herald file)

Samiu Bloomfield gestures at passing motorists in March 2016. He died Sunday at 70 years old. (Kevin Clark / Herald file)

A tattoo-covered, flag-waving Everett icon dies

Samiu Bloomfield was found and taken to a hospital after he went missing a few days. He was 70.

EVERETT — Samiu Bloomfield, known for his tattoo-covered body and waving U.S. flags around downtown Everett, died Sunday morning.

He was 70.

Bloomfield had medical issues and was missing for a few days, his son wrote in a Facebook post. Vili Bloomfield said that a Good Samaritan found his dad and called for an ambulance, which took him to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. He said his father had surgery, but was unable to recover and died.

The family was going to publicize funeral details later.

“Thank you again for the enormous show of support for my father,” he wrote. “I’m glad he made an impression on so many lives. Ofa atu.”

“’Ofa atu” is Tongan. It means “I love you.”

Samiu Bloomfield, seen here March 2016 waving flags as people drive by on Broadway in Everett, was known for his face tattooed like an American flag and body like a graffiti covered wall and inked from head to toe. (Kevin Clark / Herald file)

Samiu Bloomfield, seen here March 2016 waving flags as people drive by on Broadway in Everett, was known for his face tattooed like an American flag and body like a graffiti covered wall and inked from head to toe. (Kevin Clark / Herald file)

Samiu Bloomfield told The Herald he grew up in Tonga. He said he immigrated to the United States at 19 years old by stowing away on a boat to California, lured by American dreams of opportunity and fortunes. He got a green card in 1976, worked on a fishing boat in Alaska and then at a fish processing plant in Everett.

Once here, he married, had children and became a grandfather.

He and his wife, Dora, painted their Everett home with a red, white and blue color scheme in honor of the U.S. flag’s colors. She did the American flag tattoo on his face, another in a nearly lifelong collection in tribute to his chosen nation.

“America to me is heaven,” Bloomfield told The Herald in 2016.

Bloomfield, called Sam or Sammy to many around the city, was dedicated to taking care of his physique and became a fixture at the downtown YMCA. It took a disciplined schedule of every other day workouts to keep sculpted abs and python biceps.

Samiu Bloomfield, seen here in March 2016, stands on Broadway in Everett looking like a feral version of Uncle Sam as he waves to people. He died Sunday at 70 years old. (Kevin Clark / Herald file)

Samiu Bloomfield, seen here in March 2016, stands on Broadway in Everett looking like a feral version of Uncle Sam as he waves to people. He died Sunday at 70 years old. (Kevin Clark / Herald file)

Eventually, he began taking to the streets for his one-man patriotic shows. Many mornings he would don an Uncle Sam hat, trot around in place and wave a pair of U.S. flags to passing motorists at Broadway and Everett Avenue.

“It gives me a reason to get up every day,” he said in 2016.

Flags and balloons are seen at a memorial for Samiu Bloomfield at the corner of Broadway and Everett Ave. on Monday in Everett. (Sue Misao / The Herald)

Flags and balloons are seen at a memorial for Samiu Bloomfield at the corner of Broadway and Everett Ave. on Monday in Everett. (Sue Misao / The Herald)

The house was lost after his wife died and he hadn’t paid the bills. He moved into a motorhome parked at a relative’s house near downtown Everett, where he could continue his displays until health problems kept him from them. Any time he wasn’t there for an extended stretch of days, people would post on social media and write to The Herald asking if he was OK, because they missed him.

Ben Watanabe: bwatanabe@heraldnet.com; 425-339-3037. Twitter @benwatanabe.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

District 2 candidates differ in public safety approach

Incumbent Paula Rhyne is facing challenger Ryan Crowther. The third candidate, Jonathan Shapiro, is no longer seeking the seat.

From left to right, Edmonds City Council Position 3 candidates Joseph Ademofe, Alex Newman and Erika Barnett.
Amid budget crisis, Edmonds City Council candidates talk revenue, affordability

Three newcomers are facing off for Position 3 on the council, currently held by council President Neil Tibbott.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Everett
Everett approves new fines for non-emergency lifts

The fire department will only issue fines for non-emergency lift assists at licensed care facilities, not for individuals at home calling 911.

Guns for sale at Caso’s Gun-A-Rama in Jersey City, New Jersey, which has been open since 1967. (Photo by Aristide Economopoulos/New Jersey Monitor)
After suing, WA gets carveout from Trump administration plan to return gun conversion devices

The Trump administration has agreed to not distribute devices that turn semi-automatic… Continue reading

The Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility about 16 miles east of Ellensburg in central Washington is part of Puget Sound Energy’s clean energy portfolio. (Courtesy of Puget Sound Energy)
Megabill’s elimination of tax credits for clean energy projects could cost WA $8.7 billion

Washington households could see electricity costs increase $115 per year by 2029; 21,800 workers could lose their jobs by 2030, analysts say.

Everett mayor candidates focus on affordability, city budget in costly race

As incumbent Cassie Franklin seeks a third term in office, three candidates are looking to unseat her.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.