Philip W. Maddern

Philip W. Maddern, 82, of Congress Street in Greenfield passed away Tuesday, August 2, 2022, at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield. He was born in Gill on August 9, 1939, the son of Harold and Ethel (Reum) Maddern. Phil (AKA Pip to his close friends and family) was a graduate of the Mount Hermon School in Gill and attended Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston in pursuit of an engineering degree. Phil then went to work, initially as a mechanic and later as a salesman, for a heavy equipment company in the Brattleboro, VT area. On the evenings and weekends, he played the trumpet in the Northern Lights, a popular Valley rock ‘n’ roll band that played the college/university circuit, releasing the album College Hop in 1960. In December 1961 he enlisted in the United States Army, serving three years active duty with assignments in Korea and Fort Devens, MA as a Sergeant Personnel Specialist paying the troops.

Phil married his high school sweetheart, Susie (Helbig) Maddern, on October 12, 1963. From 1977–2005, he and Susie co-owned the Gill Store, a true “country convenience store.” In 1990, Phil retired as sales manager from Tri-State Automotive in Brattleboro, VT and changed careers to build a solar-powered greenhouse, which evolved into the production of a thriving salad sprout business known as the Gill Greenery.

In the midst of all this, Phil became involved in local politics for the Town of Gill, serving first on the memorial committee, then the planning committee, followed by the board of assessors, and eventually joining the selectboard, on which he served for fifteen years, retiring in 2006.

Throughout his life, Phil had many hobbies, including antique car repair and restoration, carpentry, and quartet singing, and he loved a challenging game of Scrabble. Up until his passing, he served for over thirty years on the board of directors for the Grace Church/Congregation of Grace Church in Turners Falls and was a member of the Aaron Clark Memorial Cemetery Association.

Phil is survived by his daughter Liz Brandenburg and her husband Jeff of Greenfield, daughter Linda Leduc and her husband Brian of Belchertown, and son Tom Maddern and his wife Rosa Poon of San Ramon, CA. He leaves seven grandchildren—T. Alex DeHoyos, Ashley Brandenburg, Lauren DeHoyos, Allie Brandenburg, Nick Leduc, Jackson Leduc, and Spencer Maddern; great-granddaughter Natalie Rioual; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Besides his parents, Phil was predeceased by his beloved wife of fifty-three years, Susie (Helbig) Maddern, and his brothers, David and Charles Maddern.

To add to his list of service, Phil was also a Freemason and recently celebrated fifty years as a Cairo Shriner. Donations in his name can be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children at lovetotherescue.org.

A memorial service will be held Sunday 10/23 at 10:30am at the Congregation of Grace Church, 148 L St. Turners Falls, MA.  There will be a light lunch to follow.  For condolences, please visit www.kostanskifuneralhome.com

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