John James Madsen Sr., formerly of Belford, died peacefully May 19, 2022, three days shy of his 90th birthday. He was born in 1932 in Hoboken to Edward Madsen and Catherine (Carrig) Madsen. He was raised in North Bergen and graduated from Emerson High School in Union City in 1950. John attended Rider College on a football scholarship, graduating with a B.S. degree in commerce in 1954. In the early 1950s, he was a lifeguard for Seaside Heights by day and a bouncer at The Chatterbox by night.
John had a long career in the consumer finance industry. He spent many years at Suburban Finance Company, first as the manager of the Nutley office and later as senior vice president, overseeing the company’s expansion. He was part owner of Thrift Investment Corporation of Fords from 1979 to 1990 and finished his career as a mortgage banker for Parkway Mortgage Corporation.
John had a love for all sports but especially enjoyed football and basketball. He was a lifelong New York Giants fan and season ticket holder. He liked nothing better than a fall tailgate party followed by a Giants victory and a continued tailgate party.
John’s true passion, however, could be found on the basketball court, where he coached youth basketball at Saint Mary School, Middletown, for more than 20 years, leading those teams to many league and tournament championships. More important than those many victories were the life lessons he taught and the positive influence he had on hundreds of young athletes over the years. He was also a proud member of the Mater Dei Booster Club and the Middletown Elks Lodge.
John met the love of his life, Bernice, on a blind date and they were married in 1953. In 1960 they moved to Belford, where they lived in the same house for 62 years, creating a lifetime of happy memories. In 1974 the Madsens purchased a condo in Pompano Beach, Florida, and the wonderful times continued. Sunrise walks on the beach and afternoons on the balcony overlooking the ocean were among John’s favorite things.
John made friends wherever he went and was fiercely loyal and devoted to them. He was the life of every party and his outgoing nature and cheerful enthusiasm made those around him happy as well. He went above and beyond to be kind and helpful to his friends, neighbors and even total strangers. He was the ultimate “crowd-pleaser.”
John saved his best for those closest to him. He would do anything and go anywhere to support and celebrate his family who meant everything to him. In later years, his grandsons affectionately called him “Gupka” and he happily embraced his role as their biggest fan as he attended every event in which they participated.
In addition to his parents, John was predeceased by his sister-in-law Julia Madsen and brother-in-law John G. Moore. John is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 68 years, Bernice (Hanna) and their three children, Karyn M. Jeffery and her husband William of Colts Neck; John J. Madsen Jr. of Greifensee, Switzerland; and James F. Madsen and his life partner Nicole Gallo of North Middletown. He will be remembered with love by his grandchildren: Ryan Jeffery of Madison, Wisconsin; Kyle Jeffery of Coral Gables, Florida; and Julie Bauer of Towson, Maryland. He is also survived by his brother Edward T. Madsen of Hackensack, sister-in-law Barbara G. Moore of Hasbrouck Heights, nephew Guy Madsen and nieces Eileen Tummino and Erin Uriarte.
A viewing was held May 31 at John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown. A Mass of Christian Burial was offered June 1 at Saint Mary, Mother of God Church, Middletown. Burial followed at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Middletown.
Those wishing to honor John’s memory may make memorial contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org or the Colts Neck First Aid Squad, P.O. Box 21, Colts Neck, NJ 07722.
The article originally appeared in the June 2 – 8, 2022 print edition of The Two River Times.
