Published March 22, 2019
SOMERVILLE — Daniel J. Madden, 86, of Somerville, passed away on Tuesday, March 12, 2019, surrounded by his loving family.
Dan has lived in Union Square in Somerville his entire life. In fact, he has spent all but seven years of his life on the same street. He is a 1950 graduate of St. Clement High School. He married Catherine “Sis” Buttery in 1952 and was devoted to her for 61 years.
Along with Sis, they created a loving home, raising five sons, and then welcoming three daughters-in-law, 10 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. His home has always been a joyous, loving and fun home where children, extended family, and friends would gather for music and laughter.
He is the son of Dan and Monica Madden who came to the States from Cork, Ireland. A couple in Ireland as young adults, came to Boston separately, eventually to meet up and get married at St. Joseph Church in Union Square. His mother Monica was a resident here at Little Sisters for the last nine years of her amazing life, living until a month shy of her 101st birthday, all due to the comfort and care provided to her while a resident here.
Dan has two sisters, Sr. Monica and Sr. Maureen, both Sisters of Notre Dame, who have always been an important part of Dan’s life and his family. Sr. Maureen has returned to her God, but Sr. Monica remained Dan’s companion, confidant and caregiver for many years.
He is a man devoted to his Catholic faith and is a lifelong and very active parishioner of St Joseph parish in Union Square. In fact, one of his closest friends, Fr. John Kelley, was also a longtime resident here at Little Sisters.
Dan proudly worked for the MBTA for 37 years until his retirement in 1991. Dan loves a good card game. Many nights were spent around the kitchen table playing whist, gin rummy or poker with his friends. Don’t expect to win though; he can tell you what is in your hand by the cards thrown and what’s come off the deck. Uncanny how good he is at this.
He loves his sports, especially baseball. Anyone with a bat in his hand gets his attention. College, Little League, even the Yankees. He can tell you stories of Braves Field and batting averages and players from years gone by. Who played for which team, who got traded for who. His first question before accepting his new home was whether he could get NESN on his cable package. He must watch his Red Sox and the Bruins.
Music is always on the radio wherever Dan is. He enjoys the music of his generation and his Irish tunes. I am sure if you pass his room, you will hear him humming or singing along to all his favorites.
Dan was the beloved husband of 61 years to the late Catherine “Sis” (Buttery) Madden. Cherished son of the late Daniel F. and Monica (Wade) Madden. Loving father of Daniel Madden and his wife Patty of Norton, Father Stephen Madden of Melrose, Paul Madden and his wife Meg of Arlington, Michael Madden of Somerville, Sean Madden and his wife Colleen of Methuen. Caring brother of Sister Monica Daniel Madden SNDdeN of South Boston and the late Sister Maureen Madden SNDdeN. Proud grandfather of his 10 grandchildren, Kelly, Katie, Kristen, Erin, Mary Beth, Danielle, Briana, Sean Patrick, Brendan and Conor and his seven great-grandchildren Ryan, Madison, Olivia, Annabella, Thomas, Lucy and Cameron.
Visitation was held at the Incarnation Church, 425 Upham St. Melrose on Friday, March 15. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at church on Saturday morning, March 16. Relatives and friends were respectfully invited to attend. Burial took place at Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge on Monday morning, March 18. Retired employee of the MBTA. In lieu of flowers, the Madden family kindly requests donations may be made to the Little Sisters of the Poor, 186 Highland Ave., Somerville, MA 02143 or to the Sisters of Notre Dame, 351 Broadway, Everett, MA 02149. To send a message of condolence please visit www.gatelyfh.com
