Leonard D. Madden ’43-2

Len died peacefully at the age of 91 on August 17, 2015 at Mountain View Community, Ossipee, NH.  Len, or “Uncle Moose”, as he was affectionately called by his nieces and nephews, was born on September 7, 1923 in Waltham MA to “Al” and Corinne Bodwell Madden.

In 1930 the Madden family moved to Newton MA.  Len and his two older brothers, Richard and Ted, graduated from Newton High School.  During World War II all three siblings and their father served in the US military:  “Al”, served as a Naval officer in the Pacific:  Richard, Navy, in England:  Ted, Air Corps, in England: and Len, Maritime Service.

Leonard entered the Maine Maritime Academy in Castine ME in 1943 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree.  He joined the Maritime Services as a Lieutenant in the US Naval Reserve and sailed to ports around the world.  He also held licenses as an Apprentice and Master Coast Pilot and was a member of the Master Coast Pilots of America.

After the war ended, Len continued with the American President Lines as a chief officer.  He later became the Terminal Superintendent for the Stevedoring Company in Philadelphia PA and then went on to work for CITGO as public relations manager.

Len married his first wife, Barbara Perry in 1950 and adopted her daughter, Sare.  After Len “retired”, the family moved to Melvin Village NH and purchased the popular Hansel and Gretel shop which they ran until Barbara’s death in June 1980.

In July 1981, Len married Eva O’Grady, owner of Kingswood Travel Service in Wolfeboro.  Eva and Len’s mutual love of travel led them to twelve sunny winters in Hawaii.  They also acquired a motor home in which  they roamed the US and Canada for several years in search of the perfect retirement utopia. Len and Eva found that right in their own backyard at Sugar Hill in Wolfeboro.

Len is well known for his outgoing and friendly personality.  He always enjoyed chatting with people, friends and strangers.  He especially loved animals and always had treats ready for his dog visitors at Mountain View.

Len is survived by; his wife, Eva; daughter, Sare Deome of St Augustine FL; sister “Kini” Corinne Madden Woodward and her husband, Ralph, of Framingham MA; sister-in-law Cindy Madden of N Weymouth MA; stepchildren Juanita O’Grady Hill of Melvin Village NH, Ree Haney and husband Keith of Durham NH, James O’Grady and wife Melaney of Lebanon OH; ten grandchildren and nine great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.