Vincent Joseph Madden Jr

Vincent Madden, formerly of Sparta, New Jersey, and Phoenix, Arizona passed away peacefully at home, on January 10, 2023, at the age of 93. While saddened by his passing, we celebrate Vince, and his extraordinary life.

Vince was a commercial pilot, naval aviator, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather – and he “adopted” many others along the way. He was beloved by all.

After meeting a cousin in the Royal Canadian Air Force as a young boy, Vince knew he wanted to fly. He attended the University of Michigan, enrolling in an aeronautics cooperative program with the US Navy. Vince earned his naval aviator wings and was stationed in Guam, and Japan during the Korean War. He met and married his lifelong friend and former wife Jane, while stationed in Japan. After leaving the Navy, Vince was hired by Trans World Airlines (TWA). “Captain Precious” worked for TWA from 1953-1989 and flew both domestic and international flights. In each new city, Vince would find a map and start walking. He traveled the world extensively for work, and pleasure, but his favorite layover destination was Honolulu.

Following his retirement, Vince “took to the roads,” making annual trips to the Reno Air Races. He stopped to golf along the way and took in America from the ground - instead of from the air. He also made annual trips to Honolulu for many years following his retirement. In fact, Vince hiked Diamond Head with his family at age 86 ½. He never stopped walking, and always refused a walker, which was “for old people.” He begrudgingly accepted a cane at age 90.

Vince is preceded in death by his parents Vincent and Gladys Madden, and his beloved siblings Ted and Gerry Madden.

He is survived by his children, Geraldine Pflugh (Archie) of Oro Valley, Arizona, Melissa Madden of Chicago, Illinois, Vincent Madden (Lois) of Nashua, New Hampshire, Kevin Madden (Tammy) of Oro Valley, Arizona, as well as his grandchildren Jason Pflugh (Dianna), Ashleigh Madden, Nathan Madden, Spencer Madden, Shaun Madden and Ryan Madden, and great grandchildren Addison, Aiden, and Avery Pflugh. He is also survived by his nieces, Cindy Madden, Sheila Kinley, Christine Madden and Heather Madden of Salisbury, Maryland, and his nephew Marty Hartsell of Knoxville, Tennessee and by his dear friend and “other favorite daughter” Iris Kymer of Branchville, New Jersey, and family.

Vince was blessed with many wonderful friends over his lifetime, including some friendships which were formed in recent years. He was particularly fond of all "his girls", who showed him friendship, kindness, and compassion.

Visitation will be at the Resthaven/Carr-Tenney Memorial Gardens Chapel on January 25, 2023, from 4:30-8:00 PM. A private graveside service will be held on January 26, 2023. For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, a memorial donation can be made to St. Mary’s Foodbank of Phoenix, Arizona.

~Memory Of Me~

I'd like the memory of me

to be a happy one.

I'd like to leave an afterglow

of smiles when life is done.

I'd like to leave an echo

whispering softly down the ways,

of happy times and laughing times,

and bright and sunny days.

I'd like the tears of those who grieve,

to dry before the sun,

with all of the happy memories

that I leave when my life is done.