Madden

WESTERN BUREAU:

Prominent Montego Bay funeral director and socialite Leslie Ruel Madden lost his battle with cancer at his Mango Walk home in St James on Wednesday.

Madden, who was the managing director of Madden's funeral home in Montego Bay and Lucea, as well as Dovecot of St James, had been ailing for several months.

"He was a stalwart in Montego Bay and a household name," said his close friend and neighbour Indru Dadlani, operator of B.D. Dadlani Jamaica Limited. "He was a very charitable man, he is a person who will be greatly missed."

The 61-year-old certified em-balmer hailed from a family of well-respected funeral directors in Jamaica.

Henry McCurdy, chairman of the People's National Party North West St James constituency, extended condolences to the grieving family.

"We mourn the loss of a great Comrade, a great human being and a gentleman."

Madden is survived by his widow, Janet, a former government senator; children Isiaa and Ruel Jr.