He’s an octogenarian on the go

Madden says every senior should make the effort to have a weekly workout and that skating is one of the best physical activities.

“It really gives a person good balance and by having balance it's good for the mind,” he said.

“It helps the mind to be active and keeps the whole body in good healthy condition.”

As a young child, Madden used to watch “older boys” skate on the West Baccaro Pond. He remembers their proficiency and how he and his friends tried to accomplish the same moves. After awhile they succeeded.

Even though he’s a senior, the thought of broken bones doesn’t bother Madden too much. Last year he broke a wrist.

“I was going backwards and I wasn't paying attention to how far the distance was and I backed up into the boards. When I hit the boards my feet went forward and I fell and I put my arm down to break my fall and broke my wrist. It healed good at my age though,” he said.

Madden started working at the age of 10 on a small country farm in Port Maitland then returned home to help his uncle haul wood out with oxen.

"After that I went to Dartmouth and worked in shipyards for awhile," he said.

When his mother passed away he worked in a succession of grocery stores, the last being Wilson's IGA. Afterwards he drove a schoolbus for 20 years.

Then I retired and became a local citizen," he laughed.