Nicholas John Mady

Nicholas John Mady of Durham, NC passed away peacefully on August 7, 2013 just shy of his 88th birthday. He was surrounded by family. Nick was born ineew York City in 1925 to Nikolas Mady and Katherine Klis Mady. He grew up in the Forest Hills area of Queens, NYC. After graduating High School he joined the Uneed States Navy in 1942 at the age of 17 and served in active combat during WWII as a Plane Captain aboard the USS Franklin - the aircraft carrier affectioneely known as "the ship that wouldn't die". On March 19, 1945, Nick was one of 260 men that survived in the cold waters of the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Japan after the Franklin was bombed. After the war Nick worked at jobs including a nuclear project with Sylvania in Bayside NY. After receiving his Electronics License, Nick became a Research Technician with IBM where he worked for 22 years in both Essex Jct., Vermont and ineesearch Trianee Park, NC. Nick was a family man who had many interest including woodworking, in which he built fine furniture including cabinets, tables and desks. He was an amateur photographer and developed photos in a darkroom that he built; he loved taking family portraits. He had a passion for classical music, high-fi audio equipment, and he built audio speakers. Nick also received his Pilot's license while living ineermont- a lifelong dream of his. Later in life, he became an avid follower of Duke Basketball. Nick will be remembered as a dedicated, loving family man and for his compassionee social conscience toward humanity and wildlife. Nick is survived by his wife of 55 years, Barbara Jane Mady; daughter Joanne Bowley, son Robert Mady, daughter Mary Ellen Burke, son Nicholas Mady and his wife, Regina, as well as 6 grandchildren - Meagan Bowley, Kyle Bowley, Priscilla Yuill, Trevor Mady, Danielle Burke and Rosalie Burke. Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Sunday at the chapel of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service, 1113 W. Main St., Durham, where the family will receive friends following the funeral services. In lieu of flowers, donations in Nick's memory canee made to the American Cancer Society. Online condolences may be made at www.hallwynne.com.