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We are sad to report that longtime NOA member Marco Boot passed away over the Christmas holiday.
His Lifetime Achievement Award, which his son Patrick Boot accepted on his behalf at our Savannah convention, was at his bedside.
“I got to go to take the lifetime achievement award to him in the hospital. It made him so happy,” Patrick said.
The Boot Family sent this message:
It is with great sadness that we share news of the passing of Marco.
Marco was a beloved husband, father, brother, stepfather, grandfather, cousin, and friend, who left us on December 23rd, 2024, after a courageous battle with mesothelioma. He was surrounded by his wife, siblings, and children.
To have known Marco was to have loved him. His life was a testament to kindness, generosity, and, above all, joy.
Marco is survived by his devoted wife of 20 years, Lydia Connerty; his sons Michael and Patrick Boot; his stepsons Cameron and Hugh Connerty; and two cherished grandchildren Teddy and Dutch. Not to forget his beloved dog, Chloe.
Born in the Netherlands in 1957, Marco was the second of four children born to Willem and Wilhelmina Boot. Even as the second oldest in the family, he was always the big brother in the house who would take care of all his siblings (and friends who he adopted as siblings). Marco’s adventurous spirit took root early, leading him to attend boarding schools in France (Cognac), Switzerland (Crans-Montana), England (Cambridge) and Germany (Heidelberg). These years made him fluent in four languages, gave him a love for culture and traveling, and also shaped his remarkable ability to connect with people from all walks of life.
At 21, Marco embraced a new adventure, moving to California, where he would begin a journey of discovery, opportunity, and growth. It took a little time for the Dutch boy to adjust to California living, but he fell in love with the US way of life even though he didn’t get discovered on Sunset Boulevard. Much of the rest of his life was spent in the United States.
Marco’s eldest son, Michael, was born during a brief return to the Netherlands while he fulfilled his military service. A few years later, Marco followed his entrepreneurial instincts and founded the U.S. branch of NNZ in 1986 with his first wife, Susan Caolo. This venture extended the family business to a new continent. That same year, Marco and Susan welcomed their son Patrick in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Marco’s true passions were the people he loved and the experiences he shared with them. He had a knack for appreciating all the little things in life. Whether enjoying a Dutch frikandel, spending a day on the water, or working on a home improvement project, he never took anything for granted. And he could find endless amusement sitting at an outdoor café watching passers by. Both for work and pleasure he travelled around the world and visited over 80 countries.
Marco and his wife Lydia were the ultimate hosts. Everyone who visited their home was immediately welcomed as family and it was impossible not to feel entranced by the warmth they spread.
His cooking was legendary—he would transform a simple barbecue into a feast or craft an elaborate Indonesian ‘rijsttafel’ that brought everyone to the table. Cooking wasn’t just about food for him; it was about bringing people together, creating moments that linger in the air like the smell of something delicious. Some of his happiest moments were preparing Christmas dinners for family and friends, bustling in the kitchen with his characteristic mix of passion and joy.
Music was another great love of Marco’s life. His love of musicals even led to introducing his youngest brother to a Dutch war hero who then became the subject of the longest running musical in Dutch history, Soldaat van Oranje, produced by his brother. A fact he never failed to share if given the opportunity.
Through it all, Marco remained steadfastly optimistic, even in the face of adversity. His warm smile and kind heart were contagious, as was his ability to make others feel welcome. Marco had an uncanny gift for creating connections with people, whether through a shared meal, a conversation that lasted late into the night, or simply his cheerful presence that could brighten any room.
Marco is a man who brought light, affection, and unwavering positivity to every moment. His legacy will live on in the love he gave, the joy he inspired, and the many lives he touched. As we remember him, we will hold on to those moments — the laughter, the meals, the music, the warmth — and carry them forward, just as he would want us to.
Respecting Marco’s desires, his family had an intimate celebration of life with his immediate family over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Marco’s optimism and kindness were his gifts to the world. In lieu of flowers, we invite you to carry forward his spirit by sharing a smile, offering a kind word, or spreading joy wherever you can.
