Michael F. Martin

Michael Frederick Martin, a Detroit native who excelled at baseball, served the City of Detroit for 25 years as a firefighter, and retired as a Real Estate Agent, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 12, after a second battle with cancer. He went to the Lord at his home in Sterling Heights with his wife of 60 years at his side holding his hand. Mike was 81 years old.

Mike was born April 12, 1942, in Detroit to Max and Patricia Martin (Weinschemier). Mike was the oldest of three boys (Peter and Randy). Mike was an All-State baseball star at Detroit Denby High School, where he met his wife Kathleen Martin (Phipps), and played for a short time at Michigan State University. Mike would play semi-professional baseball his entire adult life with the Detroit Union Printers, and is a member of the Union Printers International Baseball League Hall of Fame. Mike's name, along with that of his father, brothers, and oldest son, is enshrined at the Cooperstown Baseball Hall of Fame in a UPIBL 75th anniversary edition tournament program.

Mike retired from the Detroit Fire Department as a Senior Lieutenant. During his tenure, he was honored for saving the lives of five firefighters in 1977. His second son, Christopher, followed in his footsteps and retired after serving as Fire Chief for Sterling Heights. His oldest son Tim went into journalism. His youngest son Patrick became a stock broker. All three are college graduates.

After Mike retired from the fire department, he and Kathy became successful Real Estate Agents with ReMax for more than a decade before both retired from the workforce. Mike also did taxes, fundraised for the Detroit Fireman's Fund, bought and ran Frozen Custard's Last Stand on Detroit's East Side, owned a snow plowing business, grew and sold Christmas trees, and sold insurance. Mike never took a commission from anyone who served in the military, wouldn't charge some struggling firemen on their taxes, and volunteered often feeding the hungry at local soup kitchens. Mike was also known to give away free ice cream and Christmas trees to those who were down on their luck.

Mike also loved to boat, hunt, fish, play cards, bowl, and golf. Mike travelled and saw a majority of the country during his life, enjoyed every season and recreation that Michigan had to offer, and made it to Europe visiting Germany and Italy during his life.

Mike was preceded in death by his father Max, mother Patricia, and brothers Peter and Randy. Mike is survived by his wife Kathy, sons Tim, Chris (Kellie), and Patrick, and grandchildren Victoria, Maxx, Makenzie, Patrick, and Peyton.

A visitation for Michael will be held Wednesday, August 16, 2023 from 1pm to 9pm at A.H. Peters Funeral Home, 32000 Schoenherr Rd, Warren, Michigan 48088. Visitation Thursday, August 17, 2023 from 11am until time of Funeral Service at 12pm, at A.H. Peters Funeral Home in Warren.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that you consider making donations to Grace Church Community Supper, which can be mailed to Grace Episcopal Church 115 S Main St. Mt Clemens MI 48043.