With deep sadness we announce the passing of Martin J. Boot on February 5, 2025, at the age of 86.
He was born to Martin and Hilda Boot (Start) on August 30, 1938, in Grand Haven, Michigan.
Marty loved football from a young age and was considered “the jack of all positions” by his coach before graduating from Grand Haven High School. On November 23, 1956, he married Carol J. Regelin, and was a dedicated husband for over 68 years.
Marty’s life was a testament to hard work and determination, sometimes working multiple jobs to support his family. He was a self-made, successful business man owning several injection molding companies, including Mar-Jay Plastics and Tecumseh Thermoplastics. Beyond his career, Marty had a wide array of hobbies and passions. His hobbies included golfing and he was a longtime member of the Tecumseh Country Club. One of his proudest moments was achieving a hole-in-one at Clark Lake Golf Course in June 2020. He enjoyed traveling, NASCAR races, visits to the casino and hunting. He took great pride in keeping his family’s freezers stocked with ground venison, sausage and backstrap. He enjoyed fishing and took many fishing trips with his grandsons and friends. He especially enjoyed traveling to Kaby Lodge in Canada to fish annually. His fish fries and hush puppies were “legendary”. He briefly owned a charter boat named “The Slapshot” that operated on Lake Michigan. Marty’s hands, shaped by years of labor, were rarely at rest, that was unless he was in his designated recliner, watching TV or passionately cheering (or yelling) at a football game. Especially when rooting for the Detroit Lions and Michigan Wolverines.
Marty had a remarkable green thumb, meticulously maintaining his grass and planting flowers in his yard. Every year he tended to a large vegetable garden and was happy to share his harvest with others. He was well known for his spectacular, high-end firework displays that brought joy to family, friends, and neighbors. He also had a love for puzzles, completing thousands over the years but always leaving the last piece for his wife to finish.
Marty had a soft spot for dogs, adopting and spoiling many canine companions over the years, most recently their precious little Peanut. He also supported animal welfare causes, donating to the Lenawee Humane Society and the ASPCA. His philanthropic heart extended past those with paws, him and his wife contributed to the area’s schools, hospitals, and many other charitable organizations such as the Wounded Warrior Project.
Most importantly, Marty was a devoted family man, he took pride in being generous and showed up for the people in his life.
He leaves behind the wife he cherished, Carol; his loving daughters, Lisa Sees and Brenda (Paul) Marcyan; and his sister, Joyce Rowland. He leaves behind ten grandchildren—Andrea, Marty, Bryan, Jessica (Isaac), Austin (Megan), Marisa, Jonathan (Jaret), Vincent, Nicholas, and Clare—as well as eleven great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his son, Marty Boot Jr., and his daughter, Lori Lyn Burkhardt.
Marty leaves behind countless other family and friends who will miss his presence. His legacy of hard work, dedication, and love will live on in the hearts of those who knew him.
Visitation for Martin Boot will take place from 3:00 – 7:00 pm, Thursday, February 20, 2025 and 11:00 am, Friday, February 21, 2025 until the time of funeral service at Purse & Son Funeral Home, Tecumseh, Michigan.
Funeral Service will be at 12:00 pm Friday, February 21, 2025 at Purse & Son Funeral Home, Tecumseh, Michigan with Pastor Timothy Watters officiating.
A private Graveside service and burial will take place Saturday, February 22, 2025 at Lake Forest Cemetery, Grand Haven, Michigan.