Francis James Madden ’53

Skip died March 11, 2025, in Stamford, Conn.

Born in Chelsea, Mass., he attended the Boston Latin School and graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy before continuing his education at Princeton. He joined Ivy Club and majored in English, writing his thesis on Graham Greene. He was vice president of his senior class. Following graduation, Skip served in the Marine Corps attaining the rank of first lieutenant.

He built a career in financial services, working in Chicago and New York for Smith Barney, White Weld, Drexel Burnham, and Lazard Frères & Co. Later, he transitioned into executive recruiting, contributing his expertise to Russell Reynolds and Berndtson International before founding FJ Madden Inc. with a focus on executive leadership in the capital markets.

Beyond his career, Skip had a lifelong passion for sailing — a love that earned him the nickname “Skipper” at an early age. A longtime resident of Rye, N.Y., he was an enthusiastic tennis player into his 50s and even took on the challenge of running a marathon later in life.

Skip is survived by his former wife, Cornelia Robinson; two brothers; four children; and eight grandchildren.