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Jeffrey Roger Boorsma, age 59, of Grand Rapids passed away unexpectedly and went to be with the Lord on Sunday, June 26. He was preceded in death by his mother, Charlene Kay Boorsma. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Robin, his father Roger, brother Jon and sister Beth (Shawn) Suits; children Tyler (MaryKate) Boorsma, Spencer (Tara) Boorsma, Tiffany (Dan) Sipka, Max (Elizabeth) Boorsma, Preston Boorsma (Whitney Hoving); grandchildren Gavin, Brynn, Hayden, Griffin, Sylvie and Frankie Boorsma; several nieces, nephews and close family. Jeff was an entrepreneur and advocate for small business in his community. He started the Cactus Stand Mexican restaurant in Standale before taking over and expanding the Adobé In & Out restaurants and most recently acquiring Siciliano’s Market. He believed in taking chances on people and providing opportunities to the people often overlooked by society. In his real estate dealings, he prioritized keeping people in the homes and communities they grew up in while parts of our city were being gentrified and pushing people out. He provided affordable housing, employment opportunities and assistance to those he saw struggling. He was never boastful, however, and did most of his service in silence–his family often only learned of his impact through stories of appreciation shared by strangers years later. Jeff was a walk-on center for Michigan State football and carried his love for sports throughout his life, coaching football at Creston High School, playing in a men’s hockey league and later coaching all five of his children’s teams in various sports. He met his wife Robin in a scuba diving class where they fell in love immediately and were engaged within six months. Jeff and Robin enjoyed traveling together and laughing over good food and wine with their close neighbors and friends. Jeff’s love for wine extended into wine making which he practiced for 12 years and passed on to his sons, son in-law and extended family. Jeff was a hobbyist and frequently took his hobbies to the max. Whether it was wine making, bread making or long-distance triathlons, he put his whole self into anything he did. Over the past several years, he gained an extensive network of friends and followers from his weeks and often months-long bicycle rides across the country. He took very little with him and always returned home with a wealth of stories and new friends. Jeff was affectionately known as “Papa Bike” to his grandchildren whom he watched weekly with Robin. He is remembered by his loved ones as a pillar of their family and community; hardworking, selfless and willing to do anything for his family or even a stranger. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated Thursday June 30, 2022 at 4:00 pm at Holy Spirit Church, 2230 Lake Michigan Drive NW, Grand Rapids MI 49504. HIs family and friends will receive visitors Wednesday June 29, 2022 from 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm at the Arsulowicz Brothers Remembrance Mortuary, 3525 Remembrance Rd NW . The best that a person can do, then, is to be happy and to do what he enjoys during his life. The enjoyment of one’s life and work is a gift from God. Ecclesiastes 3:12-13

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Jeffrey Roger Boorsma

February 17, 1963 - June 26, 2022