Claude Madonna

Claude Anthony Madonna, of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, affectionately known by all as “Uncle Claude,” passed away peacefully on September 3, 2022, at the age of 100. He was born in Kennett Square on October 14, 1921, the son of Donato Madonna and Maria Michaelene Caprara of Lama dei Peligni, Chieti, Abruzzo, Italy.  He is predeceased by his beloved siblings Emma DiFrancesco, Nicholas, Rose DiRosa, Phillip (“Fritz”), Francis (“Frank”), Mary Concetta (“Jit”), Daniel P. Madonna, and two infant siblings. He is survived by loving nieces and nephews too numerous to mention, extending across four generations to his great, great, great nieces, and nephews.

He graduated from Kennett High School in 1939 and served in the US Army from 1942 to 1946 (World War II, 35th Machine Records Unit, France). He went on to study acting and voice in New York City, then traveled all over the country with the Children’s Theater. He returned to New York City and worked as a recruiter for System Development Corporation (SDC) in the Empire State Building until 1962. He then transferred to Arlington, Massachusetts, just outside of Boston, where he had a long career with SDC human resources (Cambridge and Bedford offices) until his retirement in 1984. His work supported major institutions in the field of computer programming, including MIT Instrumentation Lab (now Draper). He made many lifelong friends while living in Arlington, including his dear friend, Jane Goode (deceased). He enjoyed summers at the Delaware beaches with family, and in Maine, with Jane and other dear friends. He moved back to Kennett Square in 2016, at the age of 95, to live out the rest of his years closer to his family. He walked almost every day, always greeting those lucky enough to cross his path. He was an unbelievable storyteller, a great cook, an active member of St. Patrick Parish (where he was educated as a child), and a wonderful uncle, never missing a niece’s or nephew’s birthday or major milestone.

Uncle Claude was truly larger than life. He loved to learn about everything and everyone around him, and he would engage in conversation for hours if he could. He also loved to laugh. He had a wonderful sense of humor, an amazing memory, a beautiful voice, a love of food, the arts and a good martini. He was generous in every way. He blessed us with his contagious smile, endless warm hugs and was an instant friend to every creature he met. He is dearly missed already. May he rest in peace.

You are invited to Claude’s Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM Friday, September 9, 2022 at St. Patrick Catholic Church 212 Meredith St. Kennett Square, PA 19348.  Interment will be in St. Patrick Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations are made to St. Patrick Church, at the aforementioned address.  Arrangements are by Grieco Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. (484-734-8100 ).  To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, please visit www.griecofunerals.com