Walter J. "Wally" Mader

Walter "Wally" J. Mader passed away at home surrounded by his family on Friday, November 13, he was 70 years old. He was pre deceased by his parents Walter Mader, Sr. and Frieda Mader. Walter was married to his beloved wife, Catherine Deano for 20 years. Father of Lisa Mader, Christopher Mader (Kim) and Ryan Mader. Grandfather of Lauren Mader, Luke Mader, Sarah Marino and Ryan Mader. Walter was an avid sportsman who was never more happy than when he was fishing in the Gulf of Mexico, hunting in the woods of Louisiana or playing poker with his Monday night group. His "Uncle Wally" jokes will sadly be missed by all who ever had the pleasure of hearing them. Mr. Mader was a towering figure, physically and professionally, during his 43-year career in the world of stamp auctions. Mr. Mader's boyhood love of philately was instilled by his grandfather, an avid stamp collector, and nurtured by the famous New Orleans stamp dealers, Raymond and Roger Weill, whose Royal Street shop was the Mecca of serious stamp collectors worldwide. For years as a young man, Mr. Mader was an active participant in and director of the Crescent City Stamp Club of New Orleans. After military service during the Vietnam war and a brief career in the naval shipbuilding business, Mr. Mader ventured to New York City for an interview with Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, one of the world's largest stamp auction companies. Mr. Mader began working for the Siegel firm in 1972 and participated in cataloguing many of the world's most valuable stamp collections during the next eighteen years. In 1980 he stood beside Robert Siegel at the podium when the unique British Guiana One-Cent Magenta was hammered down to John E. du Pont for the winning bid of $850,000, which was communicated to the auctioneer through a pre-arranged secret signal - and meant that Du Pont was still bidding. Mr. Mader left the Siegel firm in 1990 and continued working in the stamp auction elbow on the knee and finger on the nose business for firms bearing his name. In 2004 he began a consulting relationship with Siegel Auction Galleries and continued performing work for the company until just a few weeks before he passed. For the last four years he was co-owner of Louisiana Art Supply, which provided art related materials to the Painting with a Twist franchise system. Internment will be held privately at a future date. Friends and relatives are invited to attend a gathering at Cathy and Wally's home, 2400 Livingston St, Mandeville, LA on Wednesday, November, 18, 3-6pm. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to The Samaritan Center, www.samcen.org. E.J. Fielding Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Please sign the E.J. Fielding Funeral Home online Guest Book at www.ejfieldingfh.com.