Michael Madden

Madden, Michael 84 June 26, 1926 June 19, 2011 Born in Tokyo, Japan, in 1926, Michael Madden passed away at home surrounded by his family and his art June 19, 2011. After returning from Japan, Mike was a lifelong Portland resident, graduating from Washington High School in the winter of 1943. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and graduated from the University of Oregon in 1950 with a degree in psychology. Mike led an industrious life, partially motivated by the loss of his father to pneumonia when he was just a lad. In his youth, while not at his studies or earning money delivering papers, selling magazine subscriptions or doing various odd jobs, he spent his time raising, breeding and flying Birmingham Roller pigeons. So struck by this fancy, he went on to become the youngest certified rolling pigeon judge on the West Coast. He very much enjoyed his time in college, joining the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, rising to the position of house president. To pay his tuition, he spent his breaks from college as a merchant marine on Liberty ships or working log rafts on the Willamette River. In 1949, while on a trip to the coast, he found himself captivated with a young lady who had a pilot's license and a keen intellect. He wooed then wed Jane Cheetham in the spring of 1951. After graduation he headed to the woods to seek his fortune, first as a logger then as buyer and exporter of fine timbers. At one point, Mike achieved a virtual monopoly on the sales of walnut burls to Europe from the U.S. Along with being an astute and successful businessman, he was a man enamored with the arts and nature: a passionate gardener, amateur birder, prize-winning potter, prolific painter and season-ticket holder to the opera, symphony and theater. Most of all, Mike was a man who cherished his family, always encouraging them through his words and financial support to achieve success through education and hard work. He will be deeply missed by his family, especially when a bold tie is spotted, a plant or bird needs identifying, a particularly good art exhibit comes to town, an interesting restaurant opens around the corner and on St. Patrick's Day, his favorite occasion to gather his whole clan around him. Mike is survived by his sisters, Sheila Kariel and Lucy Bashaw; son, Tim Madden and daughter-in-law, Kaleen Madden; daughter, Sara Neill and son-in-law, Bo Neill; grandchildren, Donna, Rolf, Timothy, Nick, John, Sara, Emily and Jane; and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jane Madden; and longtime companion, Marquita Whitcomb. A wake will be held in Mike's honor at 6 p.m. Sunday, June 26, 2011, at Kells Irish Pub, 112 S.W. Second St., Portland. Memorials may be made to Catlin Gabel School.