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Robert MADDEN Obituary
Madden C.S.B., Robert J. Died peacefully at St Michael's Hospital on February 16, 2013 after a brief struggle with cancer. He was born in Detroit, MI., the son of Patrick Madden and Mary Agnes McKnight on June 18, 1928. He met the Basilian Community at Catholic Central High School. He was professed in the Congregation of St. Basil in 1947. He received his undergraduate degree ('52) and his Master's degree ('55) in English at the University of St. Michael's College. He was granted his Ph.D. in English from the University of London, England ('63). After Ordination (1955) he was a professor of English in Windsor ON (Assumption University), Vancouver, B. C. (St. Mark's College) and for most of his life in Toronto, ON (University of St. Michael's College). He served as Chaplain at the Newman Centre (U. of T.). In the Congregation, he served for years in the Formation Program and was Superior/Rector of St Basil's College for six years. After leaving formal teaching, Fr. Madden devoted the rest of his life in serving the University of St. Michael's as the Director of Alumni Affairs. In the days before his hospitalization, he was busy at the computer answering alumni mail and giving wise counsel to his many followers. Fr. Bob was a loyal, energetic and prayerful Basilian, an award winning teacher and a faithful friend to many. He was devoted to his sister Patricia Syring and her children, Patrick, Joseph, Julia, John, Mary and Paul. He is predeceased by his parents, his brother, Fr John Madden C.S.B. and his brother-in-law, William Syring. There will be visitation on Tuesday, February 19, 2013 from 2 pm with a Wake Service at 7:30 pm in the Chapel of the Cardinal Flahiff Centre, 95 St. Joseph St., Toronto. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Basil's Church, 50 St. Joseph St. the following day at 10 am. Burial will be in the Basilian plot at Holy Cross Cemetery, Thornhill, ON. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Basilian Fathers Retirement fund, 95 St. Joseph St, Toronto, ON M5S 3C2 Rosar-Morrison Funeral Home & Chapel
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Memories and Condolences
for Robert MADDEN
48 Entries
May 13, 2013
Just sadly learned of Fr. Madden's passing. Will never forget his smile, his dry humor and that 4 passenger plane ride we took to NYC in a bad lightening storm. He is in heaven trying to correct all that bad grammar in e mails and texts. Toronto will never be the same for me. Richard Aguglia, Rockville MD 6T7
Jane Lavery
March 6, 2013
Who knew? I thought I was Fr. Madden's favorite student. But after reading through all of the wonderful entries thus far in this book, it turns out he connected with all of his students so graciously, so humorously, so thoughtfully, and so lastingly. And he'll continue to connect...Just by long distance now.
Carmel Frances Finucane (Harrison)
March 2, 2013
I'll be singing 'standing on the corner....' one more time for you Father Bob. Your profound faith, love of God, and of life, had a huge impact on the lives of our entire family and evidently on so many lives worldwide. You were so great at keeping in touch and you will be greatly missed. I hope that you remembered to set your 'out of office' :-*
February 28, 2013
Dear Father Bob, you came in to the lives of the Finucane family, via my mum and dad Tony and Pat, now 90, in the 1950s after meeting Tony at the KSC Club in London. I first met you when you came to stay with our family in Norwich in '58 when we were grieving the loss of a child. We all have treasured memories of swimming in the sea, sledging, socialising, picnics, camping, visiting historic places and of course celebrating mass in the kitchen or 'wherever'. You grew old with all the family and always kept up communication and news sharing across the Atlantic. We loved your visits over the years, and it was great to meet your mum and brother - I especially remember when you took me as a 10 yr old to visit the Tower of London and we had fish and chips and then went to see 'How the West was Won' on cinerama. When I was a 'fifty something' you came to visit my husband, myself and our 4 children in Durham forming links with yet another generation. Your name has been 'alive' in the Finucane family for well over half a century! My autistic sister Kitty regularly talks about Father Madden. You were a very special, holy and spiritual person and we are so thankful to have known and loved you. Rest in Peace Father Bob. Love from us all Tony and Pat Finucane and girls, Josephine, Catherine, Carmel, Brigid and Frances and extended family too. Chorleywood, UK
Robert and Laura Ellis 9T0/9T1
February 24, 2013
Father Madden was a tremendous combination of wit, wisdom, faith, warmth and devotion; he was a tremendous ambassador for St. Mike's and the Basilian fathers and will be deeply missed.
Joan & John Hood
February 20, 2013
We have many good memories of dinners over the years with Fr. Madden and friends from St. Mike's. He was an exceptional human being and we will miss him.
Cecilia Doyle
February 20, 2013
I remember the day after you married Mike (Doyle) and I, you called me to say, " I have some bad news - you're not really married." And explained with a laugh that you forgot to sign our license. But that was the only thing you ever forgot. You remembered the names of our children, news of our lives - all the things that mattered. A remarkable, warm and inspiring man - St. Mike's will never be the same without you there.
Kelly (Opradek) Coffey
February 20, 2013
Father Madden, My dear friend and mentor, I will miss you very much. Thank you for your support, love and friendship over the years. You hold a very special place in my heart. I am so glad we were able to visit last month. I will cherish that afternoon. God bless you always. Kelly 8T9
Michael and Cecilia Doyle 9T6
February 20, 2013
A wonderful teacher, mentor and friend. Thanks for the unquestioning support of the debating union and for not failing my wife at English. RIP
February 20, 2013
I'll miss you, Father Madden. You always made my return to Toronto and St. Mike's joyous. Bob Oliver 6T5, New York, New York
Rosa Gevaert (Stranart)
February 20, 2013
I was so glad to know you and your dear brother. You exhuded kindness and humility and understanding. So appreciated as a young student and later in life.
Elizabeth Paupst
February 20, 2013
Father Madden brought out the best in everyone through his own goodness, wisdom and loving kindness. Thank you for years of guidance and friendship.
Janice and Walter Hambley
February 20, 2013
We will miss your warm smile, good company and great humour. .What a wonderful friend you have been. God Bless
Bob Megna
February 19, 2013
We were all fortunate to have such a reasonable and warm hearted guy intersect with our lives at such an crucial stage. God bless him.
Jonathan Bengtson
February 19, 2013
Father Bob Madden was the living personification of the best of St. Michael's College. He will be sorely missed.
Steven Williams
February 19, 2013
Your enthusiasm and confidence in me to achieve meant more than you realize. Thank you! It made all the difference.
Alan MacDonald, 9T2
February 19, 2013
A kind and learned man, Father Madden represented the best of St. Mike's. He was a valued mentor to me academically and someone I was glad to call a friend during my years there.
John Scarcelli
February 19, 2013
You will be missed.
John Hogan
February 19, 2013
Dear Father Madden, Thank you for making my time at St. Michael's so wonderful. You and all of the other friends I made will be with me for my entire life
February 19, 2013
Thank you Father Bob Madden for your presence in our lives. You always made people better.
Michael Rynne MD, SMC 6T7
Catherine O'Brien
February 19, 2013
He ws truly the heart of St. Mike's! His warm heart and smile will be sadly missed by me and my siblings.
Noreen McDermott-Santilli
February 19, 2013
I met Fr. Madden on my first day at St. Michael's College. He was conducting the campus tour and he said to the group, 'if you ever get lost and you want to find your way back just look for the Sutton Place sign'. But, in reality, if you got lost all you had to do was look for Fr. Madden. He was St. Mike's and a true reflection of the kindness and goodwill that the college is known for. He had a positive influence on everyone who met him and he will be truly missed. - Noreen, SMC 8T9
Michael Martin
February 19, 2013
Fr. Madden embodied the Basilian credo of teaching "Goodness, Discipline and Knowledge". We were honoured to have him in our lives.
Bert Archer
February 19, 2013
I'll never know how he remembered all our names.
Lucille Blainey
February 19, 2013
A friendly face whose genuine caring was always evident and appreciated. Remembered fondly. 7T4
Norm/Jo Ann Opperman
February 19, 2013
Always warmly remembered as a man of great understanding and kindness.
February 19, 2013
I'm sorry I was playing basketball late that night outside your window.
Paul McCann
February 19, 2013
Such a large heart that had room for everyone.
Ken Villazor (9T1)
February 19, 2013
Father Madden, you will always be remembered by our family for your warm and wonderful spirit. You were tireless in your efforts to stay connected to all of us who are fortunate to be part of the St. Michael's community. We will miss you greatly.
Lucy Gouveia
February 19, 2013
Fr Madden you will truly be missed. I first met you while working for St Michaels food service paying my way through school and I could always count on you to single me out with your finger and shout 'There's Trouble!' which always put a smile on my face. Working with you during Alumni events and occasionally serving you a meal in the dinning room, I admired your spirit. Years later I returned and was honoured and blessed when you married my husband and I at St Basil's. You are an amazing man, God Bless you xo
Rosey (Naunheimer)Colautti
February 19, 2013
We carry you in our grateful hearts, Fr. Madden.
Rosey, Paul, Matt, Ben, and Jesse
Julie Sandorfi
February 19, 2013
Fr. Bob lit up the room when he walked in! His great love of literature was reflected in his teaching style. He officiated at our wedding and those of many friends. A few years ago, he was instrumental in setting up a scholarship fund in memory of my mother. Rest in peace, Fr. Bob, and thank you for so many happy memories!
Mary Betz
February 19, 2013
Fr Bob Madden, your smile and laugh were contagious, but you also knew how to comfort and guide. Thank you for the joy you brought around St Mike's, the continued friendship and care during your time at St Mark's, and the networking and greetings over so many years. Love from Mary '74
Eugene Scanlan
February 19, 2013
Father Bob was a fine professor of English and he did many years of yeoman service with the Alumni of St.Michael's College.
February 18, 2013
Fr.Bob was the heart and of SMC Alumni for many years.Eugene Scanlan,Toronto
Cathy Meyer
February 18, 2013
Father Bob Madden,
Thank you for your kindness, your humor, your wisdom, and your love.
You've meant so much to so many of us over so, so many years.
February 18, 2013
A great man and truly my hero and role model during my years at U of T. The earthly world is a now a far lesser place with his passing. I am sure that Fr. Madden will be missed deeply by all whose lives he touched. My deepest sympathy to his family. Paul Linley 8T1(London Ontario).
Greg Kealey
February 18, 2013
Father Bob will be missed by many. He was a great friend to us in the 1960s and married us in 1968 in Rochester, NY. We recently got back in touch through his work with alumni. A good man.
Greg and Linda Kealey
Cynthia Dannen
February 18, 2013
Norm and I loved Father Madden, who taught us various St. Mike's English courses so well and helped the Alumni for so many years with their magazines. We always found him inspirational, good- hearted, and fun, a really wonderful teacher, friend and Basilian leader. We'll miss him. He always loved his students, even after we became old and gray!
Stephen Mulhern
February 18, 2013
My prayers for a wounderful priest, teacher, friend and mentor. Class of 1976
Carolyn + Mike Weiler
February 18, 2013
We will miss and remember Fr. Bob Madden always. He was a friend and mentor to us and to our children and families, and we visited whenever we were in Toronto. He blessed us and our children in sacraments and in his company. I first met him visiting SMC with my parents in searching for the right university, and his warm and genuine welcome was part of SMC's great appeal. He never failed to remember and ask about my parents' health and happiness, and became a friend to my whole family, especially my sister Nancy, also an SMC alumna. Thank you, Bob, for all you have given us and SMC.
Jill Doherty
February 18, 2013
Fr. Bob Madden and St. Mike's were synonymous to me. He was ever present while I was a student and in alumni correspondence after that. A good man.
Caroline Di Giovanni
February 18, 2013
Dear Fr. Madden, you were more than a great teacher, you were a friend, an advisor, a chaplain, and a constant source of kindness, wisdom, and good humour. You will be missed.
Brenda Holz
February 18, 2013
My interest in everything Baroque was sparked by an English lit course I took with Fr. Madden at SMC in 1976/77. He had a gift for making the past come alive.
Sister Donna Markham, OP
February 18, 2013
A true giant of a human being, I will be forever grateful for Fr. Madden's support and encouragement, especially on my journey into the Dominican Order. My prayers are with all the Basilians and with the Madden family as you mourn the loss of this good and holy man.
Rui Figueiredo
February 18, 2013
We will miss you always. The memory of all the classes, weddings, baptisms and visits will always live in our hearts. Thanks for being there for us and so many more.
Michael Campana
February 17, 2013
God Bless you Fr. Madden...You were such a good teacher and counsellor. You made such a difference in my life and I have tried very hard to pass that influence on to my many students over my teaching career. Thank you so much for all your efforts....
February 17, 2013
From a member of The Class with Brass (6T8), I will miss you, Father. You were always in my definition of St. Mike's.
Pat (M. Patricia "Park Plaza Pat") Shaunessy
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