Richard J. Madden

WOODSTOCK, CT/STERLING, MA - Richard J. Madden, 58, formerly of Sterling, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on April 25th, 2026, after a long-fought battle with Cancer. Born on July 12, 1967, Richard was the son of Joseph E. Madden and Carla J. (Miele) O'Malley and lived 28 years in Sterling and the last 26 years in Woodstock. He attended Wachusett Regional High School and Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School in Marlborough and post graduate work at Worcester Vocational Technical High School in Worcester. After a four-year apprenticeship, he became a licensed electrician and worked as a journeyman electrician for IBEW Local 96 electrical union where he worked until retirement.

Richard was a true outdoorsman. Any chance he had he would be in his garden preparing for this year's harvest. He would be in "Bonnie's Sugar Shack" which he built, making this year's batch of maple syrup. It did not matter if the lakes and ponds were frozen or thawed. Richard would be snowmobiling the groomed trails of Maine or piloting his boat through the glistening clear waters of Wilson Pond. When his favorite time of year came around, hunting season, he would be up at the crack of dawn chasing "White Tail Bucks" through the woods of Maine, Connecticut and Massachusetts. Those who have witnessed these passions could feel the happiness he emitted. It was contagious. His expertise in his crafts was not a secret he kept hidden. He was happy and eager to teach anybody who was interested. He was truly an inspiration to us all. He was a proud lifetime member of the Eight Point Sportsmen's Club in Sterling and the Valley Springs Sportsmen's Club in North Grosvenor Dale, Connecticut. In his spare time, Richard also enjoyed restoring his 1968 Firebird and clearing land in Hancock, Maine, where he was preparing to build a family camp that would be enjoyed for generations to come.

Richard's true passion was being a family man. Every holiday he was the one to bring the family together and remind us that family is the most important thing. He would always carve the Easter Ham or Thanksgiving Turkey to perfection. He would share the fruits of his harvests from his hunting trips, plentiful gardens or sweet maple syrup from his maple trees. Richard was the mortar of the family foundation. Whatever room he was in, that was the best place to be. His love for his family was ironclad. Always unwavering and never reserved. He loved with his whole heart.

At the heart of his life was his daughter, Antoinette. She was his greatest joy, his purpose, and the reason behind everything he did. She was the sun he rose for and the reason he kept going, even when life was hard. Everything he did, he did for her. Though Richard's time here was far too short, the love he gave her is lasting and unshakeable. That love does not end here-it lives on in her laughter, her strength, and the man she will always know as her father.

Richard is survived by his father Joesph E. Madden of Sterling; his mother Carla J. (Miele) O'Malley and stepfather Richard D. O'Malley of Marlborough; his daughter Antionette Madden and his stepson Vincent Tocci both of Woodstock; by his siblings, Wendy Trudeau and husband Michael of Charlton, Patrick Madden and fiancé Terry Gray of Sterling, James O'Malley and wife Brie of Marlborough, and Christopher Madden of Sterling. He is also survived by nieces and nephews, including Amber, Michael, Gina, Patrick, Jason, Karlie, Joshua, Aubrey and Shay who loved him as a father; great nieces and nephews; along with countless friends who loved him as a brother. His memory will never fade from our hearts. He was predeceased by his sister Bonnie (Madden) Vallee, stepson Dominick Tocci, and stepmother, Claudia V. (Otto) Madden.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Richard's family from 4 to 7 pm on Friday, May 1, 2026 at Miles-Sterling Funeral and Tribute Center, 100 Worcester Rd., Sterling. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 am on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at St. Richard of Chichester, 4 Bridge St., Sterling. Burial will held privately at Hillside Cemetery in Sterling. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Richard's name to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, (www.dana-farber.org/how-you-can-help/ways-to-give), Eight Point Sportsmen's Club, 147 Beaman Rd., Sterling 01564, or Valley Springs Sportsmen's Club, 65 Valley Rd., North Grosvenor Dale, CT 06255.