Marty Bobak

Marty Bobak, Rest in Peace

On October 8th 2020, Marty checked into the hospital for a simple preventative procedure to treat two aneurysms that were discovered on the basal artery of his brainstem. The following day, after a seemingly successful procedure, he collapsed and was raced back into surgery to stop a devastating series of blood clots and strokes that ultimately left him in a coma and on full life support. On All Saints Day, November 1, 2020, after weeks of fighting for survival, Marty passed away surrounded by his wife and children.

Marty is the father of 10 children, 25 grandchildren, and husband of 45 years. After marrying his high school sweetheart, he enjoyed a highly decorated 23-year military career in the United States Air Force, where he remarkably won Officer of the Year for the entire Air Force on two separate occasions. After retirement, he went on to be a transformational executive for the Military Aircraft Group within the Moog corporation where he worked for 24 years.

His greatest treasures, however, were always his family and his faith. On a military salary, Marty sacrificed everything to put his children through Catholic schools and send them to Franciscan University. He was a faithful parishioner of St. Stephen’s Catholic Church on Grand Island where you could find him coaching basketball, teaching confirmation, on stage with the Parish Players, or the last man cleaning up from the Lenten fish fries. He could be seen around town, always hand in hand with his youngest autistic daughter Mary Clare, whom he counted as his greatest blessing from God.

Marty bravely opted for this preventive surgery, despite its risks, to ensure he would be here for many years to come; to continue providing for his wife and family, and perhaps most of all to spend as much time as possible with Mary Clare.

It is almost impossible to imagine the many thousands of lives Marty has touched with his remarkable humility, his limitless generosity, and his tireless faith. It is equally impossible to imagine our lives moving forward without him here.

We are setting up this GoFundMe campaign with a goal of $100,000 to assist with funeral costs, for the family’s travel, and, above all, to provide for Mary and Mary Clare, who face many unknowns going forward.

We are eternally grateful for all of your prayers and support during this time.

The wake will take place Friday, November 6th, from 4:00-8:00pm at St. Stephen's Catholic Church on Grand Island, NY.

The funeral mass and burial will take place Saturday, November 7th, at 9:30am at St. Stephen's Church.

All are welcome to attend! We are very grateful that our parish church is large enough to accommodate and follow safety standards for all who would like to celebrate with us.