Marty and I piled into a VW Bug after graduation from Douglaston and drove non-stop to Hathaway, LA to work in the summer catechism program at St. Lawrence Parish.  It was a wonderfully blessed experience of the people of Hathaway, their culture, great food and fellowship, and the indomitable spirit of Fr. Joseph Bourque.  I will never forget his morning wake up call, "God Loves You," as he deposited a cup of chicory-laced coffee at the foot of the bed, daring us to roll over and spill it on the once a week laundered sheets.  Marty and I had to leave early due to his need to get home for a family medical emergency.  We drove through Gulfport, MS. early Sunday morning with a local squad car trailing us along the seaside road where the speed limit was ridiculously slow.  Our NY plates made us a target, even as they had in the middle of the night in the backwoods of Alabama on the way down when we woke up the gas station owner to enable us to keep pushing on.  We beat Hurricane Camille out of Gulfport by about 6 hours and raced her up north virtually all the way to NY.  Throughout the experience, I recall Marty's ever-present smile, a lasting memory from our Douglaston days.
I regret that I did not reach out to him a few months ago when memories of that time in 1969 came to mind, stirred in part by an earlier conversation with Otto Garcia in a New York restaurant.
God be with you Marty.  I know you're really smiling now that you see God face-to-face, a fuller sense of the presence that was so very often with you in this life.  To all whom you have touched and to your family and friends, my prayers go forth.  You will be greatly missed.

Marty I tried to chase you around LA following Katrina with no luck - now it's too late to make that connection. I remember when you and Richie Bauhoff went down to size up the joint - you must have felt the attraction that marked your career.  Do me a favor John Kennedy use to say to me 'I'm praying for you Ray' and Lord I do need it - pls. put a good word in for me too w. the big guy.

Marty is one of the guys whose friendship and humor I greatly enjoyed.  He had a wonderful ease with his classmates and we loved him for it.  We will miss you, Marty. - Cathedral College classmates from 1962 to1969.

It is with sadness that I read about the passing of my classmate.It has been a lifetime since I have seen Marty.Yet it brings back great moments we shared as college seminarians .May Our Lord receive him Into eternal life

Always to remembered as a good friend and classmate. Marty was a man who gave completely of himself and will be an example to each of us as to how to live our lives in service to others---Classmates of the Class of 69, Cathedral College, Douglaston, NY

We always enjoyed Father Marty's visits to Australia.  He so generously brought his mother back home to visit her two brothers, Kevin in Bundaberg and Tommy in Brisbane.Many family reunions were held and he enjoyed meeting with his Aunts and many cousins. We are all very sad to hear of his passing. Carmel and the Drysdale family send our prayers and good thoughts.

You are greatly missed, Fr. Marty.  Rest in Peace.  -- Calvin Bouillion --

dear friends we would like to assure you that we have joined you in prayer for the repose of the soul of Fr. Marty. we also pray for the strength of the family of Fr. Marty. Thank you for the great work he did in the name of the Lord for the good of the people of the diocese of lafayette.

-CONSOLATA  HOME.

Good Bye Father Marty,  Thanks for counseling Pattie and I prior to our wedding.  You really helped us during that meeting.  Will miss you and the dinners you had with my Mom and our family.  

Jim Courcier

Sorry to hear that cousin Marty has died.  Our family enjoyed the times that he visited Brisbane, Australia, with my Aunty Beverley.  We visited places that my Aunt had grown up in and went to Stradbroke Island where Marty's grandfather Eddie was buried. My Dad, Tommy, was Marty's uncle and had some funny stories telling about his visit to Lafayette.  May they all enjoy meeting again in Heaven.

So sorry to hear of the passing of Father Marty. Condolences to the Borcherding family. I have fond memories of his visits to Australia with my Aunt Bev, Marty's mom.

Rest in peace Fr Marty.

Deborah Whalley (nee Drysdale)

As Fr. Marty's Deacon at St. Theresa Parish in Abbeville for nearly ten years, I was blessed to get to know him more than as a priest and advisor, I got to know him personally as a friend.  As such, I also was welcomed into his family.  My deepest sympathies and prayers go out to Barbara and Tom as well as Christine and Lothar on this tragic loss of their beloved brother.  Marty was a "straight shooter" and sometimes people can't handle that.  But, then again, isn't that how Jesus acted.  He will be missed.  I am grateful for the lessons he taught me and the trust he had in me as Pastor to allow me to share in ministering to the needs of our parish.  God be with you, Marty.  For one last time, knowing your deep affection for LSU...GEAUX TIGERS!

We knew Fr.Marty from Holy Cross Catholic Church in Lafayette. My condolences to his family.  May he rest in peace.

RIP dear friend. Thank you for your many of service to the Lord.
My deepest sympathy to all family and friends.
Mona

I was so sorry to hear the sad news about Fr. Martin's passing. I remember the beautiful service he performed when you and Chris were married. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. 

Mirell Walden

Father Marty performed our wedding in 1973 at our Lady of Perpetual Help.  We still have a cassette tape of the occasion.  Debbie and I are deeply saddened by this news and wish to extend our heartfelt prayers and condolences to his family. 
Pat and Debbie Onellion

We are saddened to hear of your family's loss of Fr. Marty. When he arrived in Abbeville,I served on the parish council at St. Theresa's Parish.We remember the fellowship we shared during dinners at Marcello's.

My Deepest Sympathy to Father Marty Family .New Father from St.Elizabeth Seton in Lafayette .He was an Amazing Pastor .R.I.P. Father Marty.

My prayers are with the family.  I will pray for Fr. Martin also.
P.Mcconville. NJ

We are sorry for your loss.God bless Fr. Marty. May our Lord Jesus be with you all in your time of need. We are sure he is in Jesus' presence and very happy.
Danny and Jenny Gastal (Abbeville,LA)

I'm so sorry to hear of his passing. I've known Marty for many many years.  He came to Hathaway, St Lawrence Parish as a seminarian and he, along with several other seminarians, lead our summer catechism program. The priest was Fr. Joseph Bourque.   We quickly became friends with me and my family. My mom was always cooking for him.  We kept in touch off and on over the years. He would come to Jennings to visit. I so enjoyed our talks.   He will be missed as he's touched so many lives.  We have a history that spans many many years. He will always hold a very special place in my heart.  Condolences to the Borcherding family.

It is with great sorrow to hear of Father Marty's passing.  My deepest sympathy to his family. I belonged to St Theresa's in Abbevile when he was there. I am honored to have known him.

So blessed to have known such a holy man of God. We will miss him. My prayers are with his family. Deanna Touchet

Father Marty was such a guiding force in my young adult life and through my marriage, 26 years ago.  He broke the barriers of priests being so removed from the people.  He was always so involved and approachable with us.  God called the right man for that job!  He was a great inspiration, told it like it was and was, a great, devote leader of his flock....prayers to our Father for the Father.....

We are so very sorry to hear of Marty's passing. Marty was a regular visitor to Australia and we also visited Marty and his Mom , our Aunty Beverley in New Iberia on 3 occasions. Our last visit was a month before Marty's car accident in Colorado. Our deepest sympathies go to his loving Family , Friends and the people of his Diocese in Lafayette. All our love from Australia.
Gary and Wendy Drysdale and Families.

I am so very sorry to hear about the loss of Fr. Marty.  To the Borcherding family, please know what a difference he made in my life and the lives of so many.  May he rest in peace.

Fr. Marty helped guide me thru the very imporant time of my First Communion. I remember him well when he was at St. Theresa. My prayers go out to his family, expecially Bobby & Jen, as well as all that knew him. May he rest in peace as he is in a far greater place.

To the Borcherding family you have my sympathies and prayers. Father Marty was a definite guiding source in my life and helped me through a difficult time. He was honest and had such an impact. Over the years I have thought of him often.  God bless.

Fr Marty you were so amazing for starting The Youth Council at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church of New Iberia in the early 1970's.    You have taught so many of us to love GOD and our lifelong friends.    Lot's of us still keep in touch.      Thank You for your wonderful years and service to our Church and the Almighty Father.     May you Rest in Peace Fr Marty.

Celebrating 42 years of a wonderful friendship.  My thoughts are with the Borcherding family at this difficult time.

R I P Father Marty you will be missed . Father Marty married my husband and I at St Joseph's Catholic Church In Loreauville Feb 15th,1980.   Robert and Linda Escagne

Father Marty was a sincere, honest, tell it like it is priest who cared for his fellow man. I was blessed to have known such a fine man of the cloth. There will never be another one like him.

So very sad to learn of Marty's death. We were in the same priest support group for a while. He had a great sense of humour. May he rest in peace and rise anew in glory.

father marty married my wife and i on april 8th 1989. he was and allway's will be a true blessing to us both. we love you father and we thank you for blessing our lives.

Our deepest sympathy to the Borcherding family. Fr. Marty married Timmy and I almost 40 years ago at OLPH. He was an amazing priest and friend to all. RIP Fr. Marty...

I have so many fond memories of Father Marty. I was in the Youth Group and a Camp Counselor when he was at OLPH in New Iberia. He was such a die-hard New York Mets Fan, he taught us all the Mets fight song. He was great with the children & teenagers. He also officiated our wedding in 1978 at OLPH. He will be greatly missed by so many people. May you Rest in Peace, Father Marty.

Our deepest sympathy goes out to the Borcherding Family. Father Marty officiated at our wedding 39 years ago at Our Lady of Perpetual Help. He was not only the Parish Priest but also a good friend. He will always have a place in our hearts.

I have very fond memories of Fr. Marty..May he R.I.P. Prayers going out to his family & friends.

I'll miss Father Marty. He was our priest when I was at Abbeville High. He was real with us and valued people.

Sorry to hear of the passing of Father Marty. He was our priest who officiated our wedding in 1990 at St. Teresa (Abbeville).  May he R.I.P.  +

I will always remember Fr. Marty's time at St. Theresa Parish. It was a time when my children were growing up and he had the sweetest relationship with them. He has always been a priest in our hearts. May God bless his family abundantly at this time. We will continue to pray for him as he meets his Maker.

I'm so blessed to have had the last few months to visit with Fr. Marty. He will be missed but will be thought of often. Rest in Peace, my friend. See you when I get there...

OBITUARY

Fr. Martin "Marty" Christopher Borcherding

May 20, 1947 – July 18, 2013

Evangeline Funeral Home

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