Obituary of Robert-L. Madden

->JEFFERSON -- Robert L. Madden, of Jefferson, died July 11, 2009, after a very brief illness.He was born on March 7, 1924, in Salem, Mass. He was the son of Arthur E. Madden and Velma Decoster Madden.Bob was a lifelong resident of Jefferson. In his early years, he was a true farm boy, caring for small livestock, cattle and his own pair of steers. He was a graduate of Cony High School. He served in the Army and was stationed in Germany during the Korean War. Bob worked in Augusta for the U.S. Government in the Department of Agriculture as a biologist technician testing for animal diseases and retired after 36 years of service.Bob had a lifelong interest in and knowledge of woods work. As a young man, he had his own business cutting and hauling pulp wood. He cut and sold firewood until he was in his late 70s. He lived the last 51 of his 85 years in his home in Jefferson overlooking Dyer Long Pond. He had raised his family there and enjoyed vegetable gardening, watching the wildlife in his fields and woods, daily walks to the shore, feeding the birds, caring for his pets and, in recent years, doing many jigsaw puzzles.Bob was predeceased by his wife, Louise Lizotte Madden,who passed away in 1968; his sister, Frances Madden Northrup; his brother, A. Edwin Madden; and his son-in-law, Roland Billings.Bob is survived by his daughter, Susan Madden Billings and granddaughter Nancy Billings, of Nobleboro; and his son, Steven Robert Madden, of Boothbay Harbor.Visiting hours will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, July 16, at Staples Funeral Home, 53 Brunswick Ave., Gardiner, where a celebration of his life will take place at 6 pm. Burial will occur in Calvary Cemetery, Whitefield, beside his wife.In lieu of flowers and if desired, donations may be made in his memory to an animal shelter of your choice.