Martin Tittel

Martin (Marty) E. Tittel, Sr. of Ada, MI, age 85, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 16, 2023, with family members by his side.

Martin was born to Helen and John Tittel on May 1, 1938, in Valleyfield, Quebec, Canada. Marty immigrated with his family to Boonton, New Jersey, in 1952, where he attended Bayley Ellard High School in Madison, New Jersey. Marty graduated from Depaul University in 1969 with a degree in Business and later earned a Master's degree from Depaul in Taxation.

Marty wore many hats in his professional career. He started working for International Paper Company in the late 1950s working in the plant, he moved up to work in accounting in the New York corporate office and was later transferred to the Chicago area as the Comptroller. After almost 10 years working for IP in Chicago, he was once again transferred, this time to Grand Rapids, MI, to open up the Michigan sales territory for IP. Marty left International Paper in 1981 to start Actuarial Benefit Administrators, Inc. Marty worked as a pension consultant for the remainder of his professional career, developing many long-term relationships that developed into friendships. After three weeks of boredom in retirement at age 75, he decided to tackle something on his bucket list by becoming a school bus driver. The 10 years he spent driving a school bus for Forest Hills Public Schools was, by far, his favorite time working. “Mr. Marty” was loved by all who rode his bus, their parents, and his colleagues.

Marty grew up playing hockey in Canada and was able to share his love of the game with the many boys and young men that he coached. He began coaching youth and high school hockey in the west suburbs of Chicago. He spent many hours at the outdoor rink at the Elmhurst YMCA, working to develop not only the skills of those he coached but, more importantly, a love of the game. After transferring to Grand Rapids, he quickly became involved with coaching in the GRHA program. Eventually, he coached for Forest Hills Central High School taking the team from a club to a Varsity sport. Marty helped to develop a winning tradition at FHC that continues today.

One of the things that Marty loved about living in West Michigan was that he could play nine holes of golf after work. He spent many happy hours on the golf course and was fortunate enough to score three holes-in-one in his career. Over the years, he developed many long-lasting friendships playing at Cascade Country Club and in the St. Roberts golf league. Marty was a member of the Board of Directors for 20+ years, and in that role, he combined his love of golf with his philanthropy by chairing an annual fundraising golf outing for Healing the Children for over 20 years.

Family was of utmost importance to Marty, and his happiest moments were those surrounded by family. Marty met the love of his life Grace O’Hagan in 1952, whom he married in 1960. Marty is survived by his wife of 63 years, Grace (O’Hagan); children, Martin Tittel, Jr., Melissa (Brian) Anderson; granddaughters, Winifred VanHaren, Elizabeth VanHaren, Bryce Tittel, and Remy Tittel; brother Paul (Jane) Tittel; sister, Peggy Koch; and several great nieces, and great nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, and sister.

A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 21, 2023, at St. Robert of Newminster Catholic Church, 6477 Ada Drive, Ada, MI 49301. Relatives and friends may greet the family from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at St. Robert of Newminster Catholic Church before the funeral mass at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to offer expressions of sympathy are encouraged to make a memorial contribution to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.