Joseph Edward Madden Jr. of Bridgewater, Massachusetts, died at Mass General Hospital on December 19th, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Boston on April 3rd, 1948, and raised in South Boston, he was the son of the late Joseph and Marie (Kowalik) Madden.
Following the family’s move to Brockton, Joe graduated from Cardinal Spellman High School in 1965. After graduation, Joe began a career in the trucking industry with UPS and Colonial Trucking as a newlywed with a newborn. Joe worked full-time while raising his family, eventually earning a BA in Sociology from Boston State College in 1979.
Joe was a devoted family man and loving husband to the late Jane (Buckley), his wife of forty years, and adored father to Jennifer, Rhiannon, Rebekah, and Christopher.
Joe was passionate about history, with a lifelong respect and interest in Native American peoples. He was an avid follower of the weather, always keeping his Farmer’s Almanac close at hand.
Later in life, Joe developed a love of journaling, recording his daily activities, along with details such as the temperature and times of sunrise and sunset. He loved music, watching comedies, and was a voracious reader, consuming Louise Penny mysteries as soon as they were published. Joe was also an excellent cook. His specialties included stuffed peppers, fettuccini alfredo, and pastrami sandwiches. Above all, he enjoyed nothing more than traveling to his favorite places: New York, New Orleans, Newport, and especially Nantucket. Equal to his beloved Nantucket was Scottsdale, Arizona, where he loved spending time with his daughter Rhiannon in the desert.
He is survived by his children, Jennifer and husband Tony Estrella of Providence, RI, Rhiannon and husband Lowell Heit of Scottsdale, AZ, Rebekah of Brookline, MA, Christopher and wife Roshi Afshar of Boston, MA, and his brothers Brian and former sister-in-law Maryellen Madden of Milford, Mark and his wife Margaret of Bridgewater, Donald and his wife Susan of Carver, and Daniel and his wife Brigida, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours will be held at the Conley Funeral Home, 138 Belmont Street, Brockton, MA, on Saturday, January 31st, from 9:30 am to 11:30 am, followed by a Celebration of Life luncheon from 12:30 to 3:30 pm at the Stoneforge Tavern and Publick House, 90 Paramount Drive, Raynham, MA.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Joe’s name may be made to the Patient Advocate Foundation.