John P. Madison

Dr. John Paul Madison, of Frederick, MD, passed away peacefully on May 8, 2018 at Kline Hospice House in Mt. Airy, MD after a 2 year battle with cancer. Born in Warsaw, NY on March 30, 1941, he was the son of the late Margaret (Fitzgibbons) and Clayton Madison. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Helena Emanatian Madison, brothers Bob and David, his children Maureen Madison and husband Tim Brockett of Washington, DC, Melissa Madison and husband Alexander Cruickshank of New Windsor, Mark Madison and Michael Madison, both of Plattsburgh, NY and grandchildren Colin (Saralyn), Caroline and Helena Cruickshank, Kambria, Noah, Alexis, and Jackson Madison, Jessika and Dylan Madison, and his Tennessee Walker, Harley. He was predeceased by his parents and brothers, Paul Skinner and Jim, Leo and Tom Madison.

John completed his undergraduate degree in Speech Pathology/Audiology and Elementary Education as well as an MS in English and Secondary Education at SUNY Geneseo. He also earned an Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. His passions included teaching, horseback riding and watching MSNBC while reading the Washington Post .

He began his career in 1962 as an elementary school teacher. He then taught at SUNY Fredonia and Plattsburgh, the University of MD, Gallaudet, NOVA Southeastern University, Elmira College and Rochester Institute of Technology. Although he officially retired in 2002, he never stopped teaching. He volunteered in Malawi, Namibia and Jamaica to create and establish sign language programs at the university level. Upon returning to the US, he willingly gave his time to anyone who was interested in learning. He was a sign language interpreter at Frederick Community College and most recently combined his love of teaching and horseback riding by volunteering for the 4-H Therapeutic Riding Program in Thurmont. He never met a stranger and could talk to anyone, anywhere, about anything. He had a lifelong passion for learning and would have appreciated the coincidence of passing away on Teacher Appreciation Day.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the 4H Therapeutic Riding Program, 11515 Angleberger Rd, Thurmont, MD 21788 (fc4htrp.org). Online condolences may be shared at www.keeneybasford.com.