Farewell to the Photo Man
On a sad note I wanted to say something about someone that I considered a local treasure, Billy Madden. Billy Madden passed away suddenly on February fifth and left many here recalling great memories of an equally great guy. If you were out and about on any given day you had a great chance of running into Billy while he was capturing the local scene with his camera for the Daily Freeman. Your day was always better for it; his smile and greetings were infectious. If you were really lucky he had a few minutes to spend before he headed to another shoot. Billy was always tuned into the community that he loved so much and would share the latest stories with you. But first Billy always wanted to know how you were doing and what was new. His interest was authentic and caring and sometimes included good advice.
I had the privilege to watch Billy’s love for the camera begin at the Art Institute in Boston and then for Hampton on Long Island. It was there that he cut his teeth on photojournalism. It was however here that the combination of perfect job and perfect place to live became reality making him a very happy man. Billy loved this community without reservations. He also found his lovely wife back here. Billy gave me the honor of being the best man at his wedding to Cecilia; I thought I would never see him happier. I did see him even happier. Billy and Cecilia had two wonderful daughters, Francesca and Gabby, constant source amazement for him. His life was filled with family, friends and work. Billy was humble enough to really appreciate his good fortune and he wished the same for all he knew.
Over the past years after I returned to the area I had a chance to share in Billy’s good fortune. I would run into him at parties and on the golf course, Billy’s other great love. He would patiently give me some tips on my swing but was the kind of guy that was playing for enjoyment. Being out with his friends took priority over low scores and laughter ruled the play. I know I was lucky to call Billy a friend, I will always feel that way. I also know from people I talked to after his passing that everyone felt that way. Billy may be gone but his memory will always remain here where he belonged.
I had the privilege to watch Billy’s love for the camera begin at the Art Institute in Boston and then for Hampton on Long Island. It was there that he cut his teeth on photojournalism. It was however here that the combination of perfect job and perfect place to live became reality making him a very happy man. Billy loved this community without reservations. He also found his lovely wife back here. Billy gave me the honor of being the best man at his wedding to Cecilia; I thought I would never see him happier. I did see him even happier. Billy and Cecilia had two wonderful daughters, Francesca and Gabby, constant source amazement for him. His life was filled with family, friends and work. Billy was humble enough to really appreciate his good fortune and he wished the same for all he knew.
Over the past years after I returned to the area I had a chance to share in Billy’s good fortune. I would run into him at parties and on the golf course, Billy’s other great love. He would patiently give me some tips on my swing but was the kind of guy that was playing for enjoyment. Being out with his friends took priority over low scores and laughter ruled the play. I know I was lucky to call Billy a friend, I will always feel that way. I also know from people I talked to after his passing that everyone felt that way. Billy may be gone but his memory will always remain here where he belonged.
posted by Kent E St. John at 6:17 PM
2 Comments:
Sounds like a good man. He'll be missed.
It has been almost 40 years since I had to leave Kingston. I lived there when our country was in the midst of great turmoil and dramatic, drastic, catastophic, yet sometimes wonderful change.
The friends I made in Kingston were friends that changed my life as we all went through our own rights of passage seperately in our own ways but together in some.
I have never
Post a Comment
<< Home