Martin Walter Galbraith

Marty Galbraith led a life that simply cannot be summed up in a paragraph. He was born in Chicago, IL on February 4th, 1961 to Marilyn and Marshall Galbraith. He spent his young years in the city, developing his love for sports and his Chicago Bears, before moving to Paw Paw, MI where he grew up and became such an important part of his little hometown. He lived on Maple Lake with his mom, dad, brother (Marc - now living In Germany with his love, Tanja) and sister (Marla of South Haven) and loved the water - that never changed - he was his happiest self when he could be on the water. He excelled in everything he did - whether it was on the baseball field, water skis, or the football field...he was talented and passionate. The friends he made when he was young remained a large part of his adult life. It is such a testament to the kind of man he was

As a Paw Paw Redskin football standout, he met his cheerleader, Cindy Bare - the true High School Sweethearts were married on May 15, 1982. In February of 1984 their first child was born - a daughter named Heather (Nicholas Turner). Almost four years later, January of 1988, Kyle was born (Katie Galbraith). The two were his life. Marty worked as a carpenter where he was able to showcase his incredible talent, never-ending drive, and superior leadership abilities. He worked hard. But he never, ever let that get in the way of his family. He coached almost every team his kids played for and made it to every single baseball game (and there were thousands), ski race, football game, tennis match, every single event, he was there. He was the coach, the dad, the cheerleader, and that guy in the stands yelling to "trust your hands" all at the same time. When Kyle played baseball for Western Michigan University, he was beyond proud.  Again, he established himself as a fixture in this new group of friends.  He taught them all of his wisdom, and how to properly tailgate.  Years later, these friends are as close as ever.  He was supportive, passionate, focused and would defend his children, his family and his friends in any situation.

After he retired, he and Cindy bought a boat and made themselves a floating summer home in South Haven where they'd, unknowingly, meet some of their very best friends. As usual, Marty became an integral part of his new group - wherever he went, he made friends that suddenly couldn't imagine life without him. The boat was his happy place, and he was able to share that with his whole family.

Though many things were important to Marty, what he wanted most was grand babies. He and Cindy were blessed with five beautiful grandchildren - Isabel (7), Kason (5), Beau (4), Kessler (3) and Kade (8 months). Marty became "Poppa" and he fully embraced his new position - he was amazing, and those babies love him more than he could ever know.

Marty was strong. He was intense. He was real. You always knew where you stood with him, and if you were lucky enough to be one of his people, you always knew he would be there for absolutely anything you needed. He was our comfort, our strength, and our bravery. He lived big, and he did what made him happy. Living this life without him will never be ok. The world will never be the same. The smile, the looks, and the laughs will be in our hearts forever. He will be greeted in heaven by his mom, Marilyn, and his dad, Marshall. Our immense loss will be their gain - he will watch over all of us, reminding us that quitters never win, and winners never quit. He worked his whole life to teach us we are winners, and we will not quit as long as he is in our hearts.

Family and friends will visit Friday, January 13, 2023, at the Paw Paw Lions Club, 227 County Road 665, Paw Paw at 12:30 pm.