Martin “Marty” Boone, 92, of Avoca, passed away on Saturday, December 16, 2017 at the Celtic Hospice at Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre. He was born in Avoca, October 5, 1925 and was the son of the late David and Catherine Allen Boone.
Marty was a member of Queen of the Apostles Parish Church and was a graduate of Avoca High School, class of 1943. He was a member of the Scranton Carpenter’s Union, and worked as a floor, tile, and linoleum installer. Marty retired in 1990 from Valley Crest Nursing Facility, Wilkes-Barre in the maintenance dept. He was a member of St. Mary’s Church Choir, Avoca, The Avoca Community Choir, The Scranton Barber Shop Quartets, and The Avoca Jolly Boys, where he was music director in several of their yearly variety shows.
Marty was loved deeply by his children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and their children. Known affectionately as “Uncle Marty” to so many—family and friends alike, Marty thrived on making deep connections with others, great conversations and sharing his words of wisdom, insight, and unforgettable one-liners that reflected his “advanced degree” in CS (“common sense”).
Hallmark to Marty’s life is that he made “walking sticks” for countless people. He’d carefully choose the branch for each stick and painstakingly create a masterpiece while embracing the imperfections and rare qualities of each piece of wood. Cherished by so many, these walking sticks live on as a reminder of a man who was unafraid to live life to the fullest and “walked onward” even after suffering the devastating, early loss of his beloved wife, Nancy, many years ago. A storyteller at heart, if you knew Marty—you know his stories. Testimony to a life lived well are the stories you have to tell about it and Marty had many stories to share. Marty would say that there is no need for sadness now. He’d want us all to walk onward—to enjoy the journey—and to commit to having adventures truly worthy of a “good story.”
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife of 25 years, Nancy McLaughlin Boone, who passed away March of 1980; his brother, David “Bud” Boone; and sisters, Alice Kiesinger and Elizabeth “Betsy” Nabreski.
He is survived by his sons, Timothy of Las Vegas, Nevada and Terry of Avoca; grandchildren, Nancy Cary, Kyle, Kevin, and Keith Boone and great-granddaughter, Lily Cary. Also surviving is his brother John “Chick” Boone and his wife, Carol of Avoca; sister, Mary George of Avoca and Gloria Kostiak of Avoca as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
A mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday, December 22nd at 10:00am at Queen of the Apostles Parish Church, Hawthorne St., Avoca with Fr. Phillip Sladicka officiating. Friends may call on Thursday evening, December 21st from 5-8pm at Kiesinger Funeral Services Inc., 255 McAlpine St., Duryea. Family and friends are asked to go directly to the church on Friday morning for mass. There will be no procession from the funeral home. Interment services will be privately held.