Joseph Madere

He was born July 10, 1925, in New Orleans, to Stanley A. and Bessie Mae (Gilliam) Madere. During his early life, he and his family moved several times between Garyville LA and New Orleans. He quit school after the fifth grade to work and help provide for the family. He worked several jobs prior to WWII. In November 1943, he was drafted and went through training as a combat engineer. Then he shipped off to England. He saw action many times during the ensuing years throughout Germany. Although he received shrapnel wounds in combat, he considered them minor and never mentioned them, feeling that Purple Hearts were for more serious wounds. In April 1946, he came home and was discharged from the Army. He eventually reenlisted and went back to Germany, reaching the rank of Master Sergeant, and left the Army again in 1952. In 1955, he joined the New Orleans Police Department.

Joe had a long and distinguished career in the New Orleans Police Department, working the traffic division, vice squad and mounted division. Then he developed the ecology squad in New Orleans East. The ecology squad became known internationally, removing wildlife from residential areas and combating poaching . He was featured in the local newspapers and became known as “Alligator Joe.” He was even invited to appear on the television show “To Tell the Truth.”

In 1980, he retired from the police force and went to work for the New Orleans East Corporation and Merrill Lynch, managing over 23,000 acres of marshland. He was instrumental in getting 19,000 of those acres turned over to the national government as a wildlife refuge, actually getting to name the refuge, now known as the Bayou Savage Wildlife refuge. A portion of the refuge is called the Joe Madere Marsh Unit. He continued to work on the refuge as a volunteer, sharing his knowledge with others.

On May 10, 1961, he married Shirley Jean Moir of Monroeville. They were married for over 30 years. She preceded him in death in 1992.

Joe was father to sons Gary (Anita) Cross of Mesquite Tx, Jerry (Pam) Sinclair of San Antonio Tx, Chris (Dani) Cross of Mandeville La, and Fred (Ellen) Sinclair of Seattle Wa, and daughters Lisa (Chris) Schloemer of San Antonio Tx, Suzan (Ricky) Laviolette of LaCombe La. He has numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Service at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans, LA on Monday, March 7, 2016 at 11:00 AM. Interment will follow in the All Saints Mausoleum. Visitation on Monday from 9:00 AM until service time. To view and sign the guest book please go to www.lakelawnmetairie.com.