Jerry Madara

Celebrating the Life of Jerry L. Madara

Jerry LeRoy Madara (August 19, 1939-October 30, 2025), passed away peacefully doing what he loved best - enjoying the view from his Lake Tuscaloosa home, surrounded by trees, birds, and even his nemeses - those pesky squirrels.

Born in Reading, Pennsylvania, Jerry decided early on he wanted to be in a warmer climate. He spent many years in Miami, Florida working as an airline mechanic for Delta Air Lines, flying small planes himself, and then starting his own boat repair business, Rusty Wrench Marine.

Warm sunshine and gentle waves were Jerry's idea of paradise. He was happiest piloting his boat in Miami waters for 28 years, and then on Lake Tuscaloosa for nearly 40 years. He also loved working in the yard and tackling challenging jigsaw puzzles when the temperature got too cold for him outside - which was generally anything below 70 degrees!

No one navigated the waters of fun quite like Jerry. When his kids were young, he was the "fun Dad" in the neighborhood and was always up for birthday parties, Halloween adventures, pitching a tent in the backyard, or a watermelon seed-spitting contest.

If there was a school field trip with his kids, Jerry was first on the bus and leading the singalong. Sleeping bags in the park to scare off the boogeyman? Jerry was ready with ghost stories, marshmallows, and a flashlight under his chin. Come December, he'd transform the exterior of his Miami home into a sparkling wonderland, every twinkling light perfectly placed, careful not to repeat two of the same color lights in a row.

Jerry was also a legend with the furry, four-legged crowd. He never met a dog he didn't like - and the feeling was mutual. Neighborhood dogs knew Jerry was good for a treat or two, a belly rub, or a game of fetch. They'd beat a path to his door daily, ready for another round with their favorite human.

And the man could fix anything, and he had the tools to prove it. Stubborn engine? Mystery rattle in the dryer? Call Jerry! Everyone marveled at his uncanny ability to solve any kind of mechanical problem sometimes sight unseen, with only a well-described "clank" or "whirr" over the phone. He was always more than willing to share his finely honed handyman skills; cuss words when something didn't go exactly right were optional.

While we are sad to say goodbye to our father, grandfather, honorary grandfather, and dog's best friend, Jerry wouldn't want us to wallow. So, get outside among the trees, launch a boat, hug a dog, or untangle a string of Christmas lights in his memory.

Jerry is survived by his daughter Kristie, son Scott and daughter-in-law Andrea, and their kids Katelyn and Isabella, his former wife of 64 years Nada, grand-dogs Sasha, Bindi, Flynn and Sadie, his Bingo buddies at the Northport Community Center, very kind neighbors, and friends' and neighbors' children who adopted him as their honorary grandfather. The family will have a private service to celebrate his life