Duane (Duke) Madden

Duke Madden, husband, Dad, Papa, friend, faithful Notre Dame, SF Giants and 49er fan, and best gardener we know, passed away peacefully on Sunday March 22nd at home following a very short illness.

Duke leaves behind his wife of 30 years, June Madden, daughters Lynn Madden and Lori Madden Armstrong (Pat), son Gary Madden, granddaughter Lauren Madden, stepson Cordell Yin (Doris) and stepdaughter Jenn DeWeese (Chris), his faithful dog Wyatt, and a large group of extended family and friends who will miss his kind soul and the way he made time for everyone.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, Marian and William, brother Art, and former wife Carol Rose Madden.

Born in San Francisco Duke enjoyed the simple pleasures of being a child in the 1930s- riding bikes through Golden Gate Park, flipping pop tops with his buddies, and finding adventures on his walks to and from school.

His family moved to the peninsula when Duke was nine. They lived across from St. Catherine's Church, where he attended school and he and his brother often got called to serve early mass. He lost his mom to tuberculosis when he was 13, one of the most heartbreaking times in his life. A village of family friends and relatives helped raise him after that.

Duke had great memories of watching the SF Giants at Seal Stadium and the 49ers at Kezar as a young person.

He served in the U.S. Army at Fort Lewis in Washington state.

Duke married Carol Rose in 1955 and together they raised Lynn, Gary, and Lori in San Mateo and Foster City. He started the athletic program and coached teams at St. Timothy from 1964 - 1976. The family spent many Sunday afternoons watching basketball and baseball games with other families that quickly became like family, celebrating holidays, vacationing together and sharing special occasions.

He worked for Pacific Bell for 30 years on both the peninsula and in San Francisco.

June and Duke married in 1995. In retirement they enjoyed fishing the delta, planning and planting their annual garden, league bowling, and traveling all over the world together. They loved their many cruises and land tours and made life-long travel buddies. Favorite excursions were a trip to South Bend to see his favorite team Notre Dame play, Ireland (shocker!), Australia, South America and China. Though other spots were wonderful, Duke's favorite place was by far Lake Tahoe. He loved the big blue lake and slower pace.

In 1998 Duke was "promoted" from Dad to Papa when granddaughter Lauren was born. He was her biggest fan whether on the soccer field, stage, or just hanging out.

He will be remembered as someone who always looked for the best in everyone and was the epitome of "All Things Grow with Love".

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 6, 2026 at Leo Ryan Park in Foster City. A reception will follow at a venue to be announced.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation to a hospice organization.