Martin Gerard Hegarty

Martin G. Hegarty, 67, of Lakewood, NJ, passed away on Friday, December 8th, 2023, at Hackensack Meridian Health- Ocean Care Center. Martin was a 1975 graduate of Toms River North High School, and served in the U.S. Air Force from 1976 to 1977, at Chanute and Kunsan Air Force Bases.
Martin joined the U.S. Air Force on February 20th, 1976 at 19 years old. After making the prestigious rank of E-2 (Airman), he honorably parted ways with the Air Force on August 6th, 1977, and Martin pursued his lifelong dream of putting things on shelves at supermarkets.
Defying the odds and all his teachers, he excelled at this passion until August 2021, when he retired as stocking Night Crew Chief.
Martin is preceded in death by his loving parents, Gerard and Rosemary Hegarty, his wife, Maureen Hegarty, and his brother, Brian Hegarty. He is survived by his five children, Courtney Sanchez, Adam Hegarty and wife, Elizabeth, Steven Hegarty and wife, Tomoko, Troy Hegarty and wife, Suzannah, and Casey Hegarty, sister Clare Hurley, his brothers David Hegarty and wife, Jacqueline, and Pete Hegarty and his wife, Terri, along with 9 grandchildren, 7 nieces and nephews, 1 grandniece, and long-term partner Kim Syers.
Martin was a lifelong avid NY Mets fan. So much so, that some say the disastrous 2023 season may have contributed to his multiple hospital visits. His favorite color was flannel, and had a blood type of A positive, if anyone cares to know. He also told the doctors he could still drive after having a stroke that temporarily paralyzed his left side. If you needed to be picked up from JFK airport with a baby, don't worry Martin would have left from Lakewood after you landed. Martin was great with children, as long as they weren't his own. If you needed him, he was in his La-Z-Boy.
Martin had a deep love for the outdoors and nature, planning extensive time off each year to spend on the beach, kayaking, and in the mountains with family, friends, and especially his grandson, Kain. Martin was also an avid traveler, travelling as far as Key West, Seattle, Hawaii, and Rhode Island in recent years.
Martin loved, and is loved by many. He was goofy, big of heart, and a royal pain in the ass, all the attributes you would ever want in a father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, and partner. His passion for life and lasting impact on those around him are a testament of his character, he will be sorely missed.
A public viewing will be held on Friday, December 15, 2023, from 3:00 PM until 7:00 PM, at the Silverton Memorial Funeral Home, located at 2482 Church Road, Toms River, NJ 08753. A public funeral will follow on Tuesday, December, 19, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery, located at 350 Province Line Rd, Wrightstown, NJ 08562.
Flowers can be sent to Silverton Memorial Funeral Home or Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery