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In Memoriam: Edgar Paul Boettcher Jr.

Words: Dan KamysEdgar Paul Boettcher Jr., 79, of Traverse City, known to his family and friends as J.R., passed away Monday, Sept. 15, 2008, at the Orchard Creek Supportive Care.

J. R. was born in Saginaw, Jan. 1, 1929, one of two sons born to Henrietta (Broadworth) and Edgar P. Boettcher Sr. He married Gertrude D. Doyle on April 10, 1948, in Saginaw.

A longtime resident of Saginaw, Ed and his wife moved to Traverse City from Saginaw, then to Lake City, later returning to Traverse City.

An entrepreneur, he was the founder and owner of Boettcher Masonry in Saginaw, Bay City and Traverse City, and later The Landing Marina in Lake City. J. R. was very active in the masonry business and was well respected by his peers.

He was a gold, 50-year card carrying member of the Bricklayers and Allied Craftsman Union. During his years in the business, he was President of the Mason Contractors Association, President of the Saginaw Valley Contractors Association, one of the founders of Bricklayers and Allied Craftsman Local #7 apprenticeship program and served as trustee for many years. Ed was instrumental in the creation of the Bricklayer Pension Fund for Local #7 and served on the board for many years. He was a member of the Associated General Contractors Labor Advisory Committee. J. R. served on negotiating teams and as an arbitrator from 1953 until he retired in 1984. He was inducted into the Michigan Bricklayers' Hall of Fame.

He was a life member of the Elks Club and was Elk of the Year in 1969. In Lake City he was a member of the City Council and President of the Chamber of Commerce. Ed was a former member of St. Helen Catholic Parish in Saginaw and was a current member of St. Francis Catholic Church in Traverse City.

Ed enjoyed hunting, fishing and playing cards. He enjoyed watching all types of sports, especially hockey, a sport many of his grandchildren have been involved in.

Survived by his wife, Gertrude "Trudy", J. R. also leaves to cherish his memory his children, Susan Kay (Steve) Fournier of Williamsburg, Donna (Marty) Masker of Brimley, Ed (Janet Lee) Boettcher III of Elk Rapids and Mary Jo (Kurt) Schrank of Traverse City; grandchildren, Chad (Rachel) Fournier, Kimberly (Whit) Magro, Ed Boettcher IV, Bryan (Michelle) Boettcher, Kathryn Boettcher, Maxwell Schrank and Derek Schrank; step grandchildren, Matt (Megan) McKillip, Jason McKillip and Chris (Mary) McKillip; four great-grandchildren; 10 step great-grandchildren; and a brother, Ray (Janet) Boettcher of Atlanta.

J. R. was preceded in death by his parents.

The family asks that memorials be directed to the Edgar P. Boettcher Jr. Scholarship Fund.

MCAA sends its deepest condolences to the Boettcher family.
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