It is with profound sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our husband, father and friend Robert Francis "Bob" Madden, age 76, of Malignant Cove, Antigonish County.
Bob passed away at St. Martha’s Regional Hospital on April 25, 2024, surrounded by his loving wife Lavonah; sons, Rob and Tommy; his brother, Paddy; and dear friend, M.L.O’Reilly.
Born in Stellarton, he was a son of the late Francis Edward "Frank" and Josephine Patricia "Pat" (Burchell) Madden.
Bob was an educator, teaching accounting in the St. Francis Xavier University Business Administration Department for 50 years. There he prepared and inspired generations of students for their careers in business, accounting, teaching and entrepreneurial ventures. He was committed to those young people, ensuring that the content of his lectures reflected the most current thinking.
Bob also prepared thousands of students across Canada to succeed at their regional and national professional accounting exams. In fact, every student in Atlantic Canada (and even Bermuda) aspiring to a career as an accountant during his long tenure would have benefitted from Bob’s preparations.
Bob’s academic impact went even further. It was global. For 20 years he was a professor in the Canadian Executive MBA (Masters of Business Administration) Program at SGH Warsaw (Poland) School of Economics.
And then there was Asia. For 10 years, Bob solidified X’s relationship with Chinese universities in cities including Beijing, Wuhan and Huangzhou. He delivered accounting lectures on Chinese campuses and, conversely, hosted Chinese professors on visits to Antigonish. He also expanded the outreach of his Xaverian department to Mexico.
In 1998 in recognition of his contribution to chartered accountancy in Canada, Bob was appointed as a Fellow Chartered Accountant by the Nova Scotia Institute of Chartered Accountants (NSICA).
Bob may have been a consummate academic and professional, reading several books and periodicals each week, but he was also plain ol’ smart. In whatever corner of his house you choose to look, you’ll find a stack of books, a pair of reading glasses and a bastion of his thoughts.
Throughout his life, Bob was an athlete. He was as comfortable in ocean waters as on solid ground. There was sharp shooting in his youth, scuba diving a little later and, for decades, along with his wife Lavonah, a decorated career in handball. It was through that sport that Bob forged lifelong friendships in almost every province, several states, Australia and Ireland.
His neighbours will long remember that bright red jacket jogging and, later in life, walking along highway #245 at an impressive pace. They all stopped to wave or chat, wishing their friend a good day.
Bob loved to travel, and he was so good at it. Combine his unparalleled sense of direction with his excellent memory and you could rely on his travel tips for just about any country in the world. The best tourist sites, hotels and restaurants were all part of his travel arsenal.
While Bob’s story of academic, professional and athletic excellence is impressive, it does not end there. Family and friends will also remember him as an over-the-top host. At his Malignant Cove home, the welcome mat was always out and a cold beer at the ready. You needed no special status to enter Bob’s world. And you, most assuredly, didn’t leave without your next book to read ("You’ve got to read this!") or a foil-wrapped plate of one more serving of your dinner ("These leftovers will still be great tomorrow.").
Bob loved to attend B.I.G. (Bonanza Investment Group) social events with local like-minded confreres.
The story of Bob Madden cannot be written without mention of his finest role,-a father. He showed sons, Rob and Tommy, the way. He cooked the dinners, threw the football, doled out the advice (mostly solicited) and, most importantly, he provided constant love and support.
Bob is survived by his wife of 29 years, Lavonah (Muloin); sons, Rob (Anna), Cayman Islands; and Thomas "Tommy", Markham, Ontario; grandchildren, Robert III "Robby", Nicolas "Nic", Mina, Marcus "Marc", and Lara; siblings, Mary (Heinreich), Oldenburg, Germany; Michael (Brenda), Halifax; Helene (Gene), Dartmouth; and Patrick "Paddy/Shingo-Dawe" (Betty-Mae), Plymouth NS; sister-in-law, Diane, Moncton; and several nieces and nephews and dear friends near and far.
Besides his parents, Bob is predeceased by his brothers Dennis, Moncton; and James who died in infancy. He is also predeceased by his dear friend William "Billy" Dundon III (Karen) of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
Bob Madden loved his deck on a sunny day, his boat when the waters were welcoming, watching HIS Blue Jays, the first lobster feed of the season (provided by Clarence) and good times shared with close friends ML, Maynard, JP, Leo, Mike and Ping.
His youngest brother, Paddy, recalled that it was Bob who taught him how to swim. For many others, he will be remembered as the man who taught them how to live.
Visitation will be held Thursday from 1 to 3 and 6 to 8 pm at C.L. Curry Funeral Home, 135 College Street, Antigonish, Nova Scotia. Funeral Mass will be held Friday in St. Margaret of Scotland Church, Arisaig, at 11:00 am with Fr. Colin MacKinnon presiding. Burial to follow in the parish cemetery. A celebration of life will follow in the summer.
The funeral will be recorded and available on the funeral home’s website later Friday afternoon.
In Memoriam, donations may be directed to the food bank of your choosing, to St. Margaret of Scotland (Arisaig) Heritage Fund, or to the charity of your choice.
The Madden family wishes to thank the emergency response team and the physicians and staff of St. Martha’s hospital for their professional and caring support.
Online condolences and obituary: www.clcurry.com