Rev. David L. Madeira

Rev. David L. Madeira, 83, of Cromwell, CT went home to be with his Lord on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2006. He was the husband of Anna-Lisa Beckman Madeira. In addition to his wife Anna-Lisa, he is survived by two sons, David Madeira of Gig Harbor, WA and Philip Madeira of Brentwood, TN; a daughter, Ann-Elise Grosser of Carramickcross, Ireland; a brother, Rev. Eugene Madeira; a sister Helen Cox; six grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two brothers, Robert Madeira and Hernley Madeira. Born in Elizabethtown, PA, he was the son of the late Isaac Titus Madeira and Elsie Lehman Madeira. David attended Columbia Bible College and was a graduate of Wheaton College in Illinois in 1944. He did graduate work at the Summer Institute of Linguistics. An Ordained Baptist Clergyman, he served churches in Maine and New Hampshire, prior to his becoming the first pastor of Barrington Baptist Church, where he served for 32 fruitful years. He was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity by Barrington College. Simultaneously with his pastoral ministry, he served on the Home and Foreign Mission Boards of the Conservative Baptists, Community Chaplains Service, Greater Providence Habitat for Humanity, and was co-founder with Dr. Claude Noel of Partners with Haiti. After his retirement in 1986, he was named Pastor Emeritus of the Barrington Church and then was asked to coordinate the opening of the Seminary of the East in Worcester, MA now in Auburn, MA, where he also served as a member of the faculty. Seven years after retirement, he was asked to return to Barrington Baptist as a Visitation Pastor of the church he so dearly loved. He served in that position until it was apparent that he had become a victim of Alzheimer's disease. The remaining six years of his life were spent as a resident of Covenant Village of Cromwell and then as a patient in the nursing facility there. Known for his winning smile, quiet demeanor, and his gentle spirit, he endeared himself to all who knew him. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2006 at 11:00 AM at the Barrington Baptist Church, followed by a reception at the church. Burial will be in Forest Chapel Cemetery in Barrington. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Barrington Baptist Church, 25 Old County Rd, Barrington, RI, 02806.