Meet Cousin Chris!
Season 2 Episode 8
Guest: Christopher Madden
Christopher Madden and his wife Serena live in Kensington New Hampshire. They have raised their two daughters (Nichole and Tasha) and are now happy dog parents to Wynston - a mini-bernie-doodle, and Bella a cavapoo. Chris retired from corporate America a few years ago after a 30+ year career as an electrical and software engineer running design teams for fortune 100 companies. Chris' passions now focus on playing/creating music (guitar/piano) with his wife Serena (guitar/flute/mandolin) - playing golf (a lifelong endeavor) - and enjoying the out of doors from either of their vacation homes in northern New Hampshire or Cape Cod. Upon the passing of both of Chris' parents - a google search seeking more knowledge on the family history resulted in a remarkable find - discovering Anne's Meet Me at the Wall Podcast. And that Anne is Chris’s second cousin!
He is now super excited to learn more as he digs through the archives passed down through his side of the family and continues to learn from the amazing trove of information Anne and her team have presented on this insightful podcast.
Email Anne received from Chris:
Hello Anne! My name is Christopher Madden and I am the grandson of Marian Westgate (Radack). My mother is Cynthia Radack - Marian's only child - she grew up in Titusville. I've been doing some research online on the Westgate family since Mom and Dad have recently passed, and I've been uncovering artifacts that were moved from Grammy's home in Titusville and stored in my folks house and barn since 1997! I was super excited to come across your blog as you might imagine! I wanted to reach out and begin a correspondence with you to share stories and notes and have fun remembering our amazing family! I can recall fondly spending time at Aunt Flo's and Uncle Benny's house in Titusville on trips there when my folks took us to visit. Please feel free to reach out to my email whenever convenient to you. I live with my wife (Serena) in Kensington, NH.
Christopher Madden
Christopher is Florence’s sister’s grandson, so he comes down the Miriam side of the family — and you can really see the connection. There’s a bit of Richard in his face, especially around the eyes. And the similarities spill over into life choices too: both of them studied electrical engineering, and both loved golf. Christopher’s photo has that same gentle, good‑humored expression that shows up in Richard’s yearbook portrait, even though the styles and eras are worlds apart. The glasses and face shape echo each other too, which makes the connection feel unmistakably familial.
A stack of condolence letters and telegrams sent after Dick’s death, carefully preserved over the years. The image shows bundles of envelopes tied with string and a layer of vintage
Western Union telegrams resting on top — tangible traces of the grief and compassion that poured in from friends, classmates, and family in 1947. Each letter and telegram carries a voice from that moment, together forming a quiet archive of sympathy and remembrance.
A condolence letter from Cornell University’s College of Engineering, dated May 30, 1947. Written by Charles R. Burrows, Director of the School of Electrical Engineering, it expresses sympathy to Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin F. Kraffert, Jr. following the death of their son, Richard C. Kraffert. The letter notes Richard’s outstanding academic record — listing him on the Dean’s Honor List for multiple terms — and conveys that both faculty and students deeply missed his presence. Typed on official Cornell letterhead, the document stands as a poignant acknowledgment of Richard’s excellence and the esteem in which he was held by his professors and peers.
Pancake Recipe (as promised)
Pancake Recipe
Dick Kraffert Swimming Pool
Across the United States, many mid‑century municipal pools have been retired because they require extensive updates to meet modern safety and accessibility standards. These upgrades are often far more expensive than maintaining newer recreation options, so towns large and small have gradually phased out older pools. The Kraffert Pool followed this same nationwide pattern: a well‑loved community space that eventually reached the end of its practical service life.
Link to information:
Origins of the Dick Kraffert Pool at Burgess Park, Titusville – NWPA Stories
The Cavalier Hotel
Where Mimi and Joe honeymooned.