Obituary: Joseph R. Madonia

Joseph R. Madonia, at 85

Joseph R. Madonia, 85, a resident of Hull since 1991 and former longtime Fitchburg resident, died Friday, June 4, 2021 at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.

He was born on April 1, 1936, a son of the late Philip A. Madonia Sr. and Lucy D. (Amico) Madonia.

He was the husband for 35 years of Susan Carr-Madonia. Besides his wife, he leaves one son, Joseph, and two daughters, Donna and Cheryl; a brother, Philip A. Madonia Jr. of Fitchburg; five grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, Robert C. Madonia, who died in 1963.

“Dick,,” as Mr. Madonia was affectionately known, was the owner along with his brother of the Madonia Construction Company for many years in the Fitchburg area. They were well-known for building the George R. Wallace Civic Center, Carmelita Landry Ice Rink, Wallace Towers, Celluplastics, Gardner High Rise for the elderly, Fitchburg Public Library, Masonic Temple,  Leominster Elks, St. Bernard’s Elementary School, Southeast Elementary School, Reingold Elementary School, John R. Briggs Elementary School, Ware Elementary School, Cushing Academy Girls Dormitory, St. Anthony’s Elementary School and Convent, and Fitchburg General Hospital, which they later retrofitted into the Fitchburg Office Building. 

Among many other large endeavors, he acted as the Town of Arlington’s project manager for the retrofitting of five schools. He also was the project manager for the Boston City Hospital. Other accomplishments were the planning of the Emerald Place Apartments and Condominiums at Whalom, and a partner in project planner for The Falls in Fitchburg.  He also had other interests in the restaurant world.

Mr. Madonia was a 1954 graduate of Fitchburg High School, a member of St. Anthony of Padua Parish and served in the U.S. Marine Reserves for seven years. He was a former longtime member of the Fitchburg YMCA, the Fitchburg, Hyannis, and Falmouth Racquetball Clubs, where he was an outstanding player for many years and won many awards. He was also a member of the Fitchburg Lodge of Elks. He enjoyed walking on the beach and had a fondness for carousels. He had a special love for his grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

“Mr. Wonderful,” as he was known by some, was a prestigious contractor most of his life. He was a kind, caring, and generous person to those in need, always optimistic, and easy to smile. It has been said “his passing has left an emptiness in all who really knew him,” – especially “his” Susan. He is missed.

Services have been held. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Anthony of Padua Memorial Fund, 84 Salem St. Fitchburg, MA  01420, or the Shriners Hospital for Children, 51 Blossom St, Boston, MA 02114.