OXFORD - John William Madsen, 80, passed away March 31, 2017 of congestive heart failure. He was born in Bridgeport, CT on February 21, 1937 and was the widower of Dorothy (Mikita) to whom he was married for over 50 years.

John graduated from Bassick High School in 1955. Despite having to work and raise a new family, he went on to the University of Bridgeport where he earned a BA in history. He worked for nearly half a century in the drywall and building supply industry where he held many different positions including owner, salesman, and driver. John was an avid UCONN basketball fan and traveled with his wife, Dorothy to many NCAA men’s and women’s finals tournaments. He was also a terrific basketball coach himself and coached girls’ basketball through the Newtown Park and Rec. An adventurous traveler, he and Dorothy visited many places including Denmark, Ireland, Venezuela, and Monserrat. John also performed in the ballet The Nutcracker for 10 years as a part of the Ballet Miniature Company of Newtown, CT. He volunteered at Waterbury Hospital helping and counseling cardiac care patients with their recoveries. John lived in Connecticut his entire life and resided in Bridgeport, Portland, Newtown, Southbury and Oxford. A lifetime member of the Fairweather Yacht Club in Black Rock, he enjoyed water activities such as swimming, boating, crabbing and fishing. John will be remembered for his sense of humor as well as his love for, and knowledge of history, as well as for being a skilled Pinochle and Poker player. He was always happy to take your money at the card table.

John is survived by his three daughters, Katherine Madsen from Montana, Theresa Wrinn and her husband Joseph of Woodbury, CT, and Diane Purdy and her husband Rob of Canada. He is also survived by his sister Elsie Madsen and brother Knud Nielsen of Bridgeport, CT, his sister Katherine Olson and her husband John of South Carolina and brother-in-law Donald Mikita of Newtown, CT. John leaves behind five grandchildren: Greg, Marshall, Christopher, Gunnar and Jack. He also leaves behind four nieces, one nephew and his cousins. John also has three cats that he loved and they miss him terribly.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation be made in his name to the American Heart Association or the charity of your own choosing. The family would like to thank John’s many friends at the Village at Oxford Greens for welcoming him to the community and for their kind words and prayers on his passing. As per John’s request, there will be no calling hours. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, April 23, 2017 at Villa Restaurant in Sandy Hook from 12 noon until 3 p.m. The family would like to invite all who knew and loved him to attend and celebrate his life. Casey’s Eastside Memorial, 1987 East Main St, Waterbury, has been entrusted with the arrangements. For additional information or to leave an on-line condolence please visit the funeral home website at www.eastsidememorial.com

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