Franklin (Frank) Madden, of Brewster, N.Y., passed away on February 19, 2025, from complications related to Parkinson’s Disease. Born on April 6, 1946, in Brooklyn, N.Y. to the late Marguerite (Smith) Madden and John P. Madden, Frank had two older brothers: David (deceased) of Saratoga Springs, N.Y. and John of Ocala, FL.
Frank grew up in Huntington, N.Y. and attended St. Anthony’s High School in Smithtown. He was a skilled baseball player throughout his childhood, which led to a baseball scholarship to St. John’s University and a spot in the Cape Cod Premier Collegiate Summer Baseball League.
Prior to receiving his Ph.D. at New York University (NYU), he taught at Bishop Ford High School in Brooklyn. He spent 40 years teaching at Westchester Community College where he ended his career in 2014 as Full Professor, Department of English Chair and Recipient of the Carol Russet Endowed Chair in English. He was also the first community college professor to be named a SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor. Among other accolades and awards, he served in leadership positions in multiple professional associations and authored several college textbooks.
Outside of his professional life, Frank loved the Yankees, theater, Cape Cod and being a lifelong Democrat. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Sharon (O’Keefe) Madden, his two daughters, Michelle K. Madden (Bill Indick) of Islip, N.Y., and Suzanne H. Madden, of Arlington, VA, and his four grandchildren, Sophie and Casey Indick and Avery and Will Krackeler.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 15, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Beecher Funeral Home in Brewster, N.Y. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research or the Ridgefield Visiting Nurses Association Hospice Program.
