Thetford, VT – Michael R. Maddalena, 64, died suddenly on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at his home in Thetford. He was born on September 30, 1959, in Jackson, Michigan, to Robert and Paula (McNamara) Maddalena.

Michael was a true renaissance man with a tremendous enthusiasm for knowledge. He was simultaneously a student and a teacher, taking the time to learn others' passions and points of view and always happy to share his own endless supply of humor, wisdom, trivia, and his faith in impossible schemes. He seemed to be able to catalog written and spoken language into his mental library, available for recall whenever the need arose. Throughout his life, he was guided by his innate sense of fairness, justice, and generosity. These qualities made him a tremendous son, brother, husband, father, uncle, friend, partner, instructor, and coworker.

After college, he became friends with Rebecca Siegel while they worked at the same company in the Boston area; they began dating a couple of years later and married in 1992. They moved to the Upper Valley in 1994. Michael loved nothing more than time spent with Rebecca and their daughter, Hyla. They did everything together—traveling, cooking, reading, laughing, and listening to music, whether live in concert or on the stereo that was one of his passions. Taking care of the people he loved was Michael's reason to be here, and his limitless affection and capability for doing good will be enormously missed.

He is survived by his loving wife, Rebecca Siegel of Thetford; daughter Hyla Maddalena of Thetford; sisters Anne Lombardo and husband Nick of Grand Rapids, MI, Sara Dickerson and husband Bob of Waterford, MI, and Laura Nadai of Grand Rapids; sister-in-law Laurel Siegel of Medford, MA; nephews Nick (Lindsay), Adam (Liz), Joe (Lauren), Drew (Shannon), and Matt; and other family members and many friends. Likely: he'll be remembered.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother-in-law Lou Nadai.

In Michael's memory, his family asks that loved ones send donations to Open Fields School in Thetford.