John Wilson Madden

John (Jack) Madden, age 84, died peacefully, surrounded by his family and pastor, on January 30, 2016 in Tallahassee, FL. He was born on April 6, 1931 in Racine, WI. Upon graduation he briefly attended the University of Wisconsin before joining the US Marine Corps and became a Navy Corpsman. Shortly before being deployed he married Patricia Mae (Fleming) Madden While in Korea, he was hit by a landmine and received the Purple Heart. Jack went on to receive his Bachelor's of Science Degree from the University of Wisconsin before moving, with his family, to Florida where he worked for the Department of Probation and Parole for almost 15 years. He earned his Master's Degree in Public Administration and completed coursework in a doctoral program at Florida State University. Jack served as the Assistant Comptroller for the State of Florida and Chief Deputy Director of the Florida State Board of Administration. He also served as Chairman of the Board of Directors for Sunshine State Bank and a member of Capital City Tiger Bay Club. Mr. Madden was very active in many local and national community organizations. He served as President of the National Mental Health Association, held many positions in the American Cancer Society and received an award for his work on abolishing smoking in public (Amendment 6). He also held several volunteer positions at the United Way. Jack served as a mentor for school children in the Leon County Public School System, was a member of the 20th Century crew and served as Andrew Jackson for Springtime Tallahassee. He was a member of the Tallahassee Emerald Isle Society and the Ancient Order of the Hibernians. He was a founding board member of Tallahassee Irish Society. He was also instrumental in starting the local St. Patrick's Day parade. In addition, Jack was a member of the local chapter of the Marine Corps League, the American Legion, and served as Commander of the local chapter of the Purple Heart Association. Finally, he was an active member of Good Shepherd Parish, serving as an usher and greeter.
Jack is survived by his two sisters Maxine Herrmann and Sharon Woodworth (Racine, WI); brother in-law Dr. Anthony Herrmann (Racine,WI); his four children, Denise (partner (Dr. Kyle Stump) (Baltimore MD), Michael ( fiancé Oneli Whitten)(Charleston SC), John (Sophie) (Orlando, Fl) and Thomas (Patti)
(Tallahassee, FL); his four grandchildren, Patrick Madden, (Marie) (Philadelphia, PA), Danielle Rojas (Austin, TX), Ryan Madden (Tallahassee, FL) and
Mallory Madden (Tallahassee, FL); and his partner Sonya Cloninger (Tallahassee, FL). His family and friends will always remember him as a man deeply committed to his family, with a joyful spirit and an unending commitment to many social issues.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Cecil (Red) Madden and Eleanor Kassner, step mother Sophia Madden (all of Racine WI); and his wife of fifty years Patricia Mae (Fleming) Madden. A celebration of jack's life is scheduled for Friday, February 5th, 2016. The celebration will begin with a Rosary at 6:00 PM to be followed by a traditional Irish Wake at 6:30PM at Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home( 1737 Riggins Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308). A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 PM, Saturday, February 6th, 2016 at Good Shepherd Catholic Church (4665 Thomasville Road, Tallahassee, FL 32309). Interment is to follow at Culley's MeadowWood Memorial Park, (700 Timberlane Road Tallahassee FL 32312) with a catered reception to be held in the MeadowWood Room following the burial.
The family would like to thank the Woodmont Assisted Living Center and Big Bend Hospice for their care and support during his illness.
Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to the Travis Manion Foundation (www.travismanion.org) and/or Big Bend Hospice of Tallahassee ( www.bigbendhospice.org)
Expressions of sympathy may be submitted or viewed at http://www.dignitymemorial.com/culleys-meadowwood-funeral-home-timberlane/en-us/index.page