Thomas J. Madell

Thomas J. Madell, 78, died on March 21, 2016, at Passages Hospice, New Orleans. He was born in Missouri, and raised in Illinois. Tom was pre-deceased by his former wife, the former Sheryl Henley, and a brother, John Madell. He is survived by siblings, Mary Madell Olson and James Madell, both of Decatur, Illinois, and Philip Madell and his wife, Yukari Nakano, of Massachusetts. He is also survived by sixteen nieces and nephews. Tom served as a combat engineer with the U.S. Army in Germany. Upon his honorable discharge, he graduated from Southern Illinois University with a degree in economics. He joined The Equitable Life Assurance Society in Los Angeles, California, which subsequently transferred him to New Orleans as Claims Manager, where he became enamored of the city's ambience, and stayed the remainder of his life. He later worked as a private detective, and then as office manager for Security Iron Company. Tom was active in many pastimes: he was a background actor (extra) in numerous movies filmed in the city: "Faith of My Fathers" and "A Perfect Day," among many others; he was an amateur athlete, playing tennis and volleyball several times a week and once tried out for the New Orleans Saints (unsuccessfully). He was a patron of the arts, and a patron, also, of many of the city's fine restaurants where he especially enjoyed the friendship of all whom he encountered. Tom excelled, too, at serving as a guide to his many visiting friends and relatives who he entertained here. He was an unusually regular correspondent with all of his family and friends, never forgetting a special day. A celebration of Tom's life will be held Saturday May 7, 2016, 11:00 a.m., at Saint Stephen Church, 1025 Napoleon Ave, New Orleans. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Catholic Charities. To view and sign the family guestbook, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com.