David S. McFadden

David “Dave” Sean McFadden, age 60, of Pines Lake in Wayne, NJ, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, January 4, 2023. Dave is survived by his devoted wife of 30 years, Cynthia, and loving daughter, Mallory of Wayne, NJ; by his mother Joan McFadden of Cedar Crest in Pompton Plains, NJ, and his sister Jody Lyons and husband Stephen Lyons of Wayne, NJ. He was a dear uncle to Chase and Shannon Lyons of Wayne, and Natalie and Mckenzie McFadden of Kinnelon, NJ. Dave is predeceased by his beloved father, Harold A. “Mickey” McFadden (d. 2016) and dear brother Henry H.A. “Mickey” McFadden (d. 2021).

Born in Passaic, NJ, to Joan (Crowley) McFadden and Harold A. “Mickey” McFadden, the family soon built a new home in the beautiful Pines Lake community in Wayne, where David and his own family continued to reside throughout his life. A Wayne Hills High School Class of 1981 graduate, Dave soon joined his family’s well-loved establishment, McFadden’s Pub, in Haledon, NJ. He continued on to build a career as a letter carrier for the Oakland Post Office, which combined both his love of the outdoors and his joy for connecting with the local community in a very meaningful way. He retired in 2012.

An inquisitive and active young man, Dave’s youth and teenage years rarely found him indoors—except to teach himself chess, master the latest video or pinball game, or tend to his many pets. Rather, he’d be found fishing, biking, exploring the Glen, or joining his friends in every sport from tennis to basketball, baseball and skiing. Dave’s years at McFadden’s Pub allowed him to cultivate his culinary skills, where he became an excellent cook. His family and friends had the longtime privilege of being the willing recipients of his delicious creations.

Like his father and brother before him, Dave’s larger-than-life personality, conversational ease, and sharp sense of humor will always be remembered. There wasn’t a discussion he couldn’t contribute to or a subject he didn’t know something about, and his observational bits of wisdom will keep us laughing for years to come. His exuberance for, and love of, alternative music was legendary, earning him the nickname “New wave Dave.” And there wasn’t a collectible he didn’t try to collect, finding purpose and meaning in so many objects and everyday things. Yet through the vivaciousness, Dave was a gentle and sensitive artist, one who enjoyed painting landscape scenes on tiles, left out in nature to be discovered by his Pines Lake community: he wanted no accolades, just to inspire. The beauty and solitude of lake fishing predominated his life, and in his older years proved to be the one place Dave could surely be found. This unique, personable, creative, and interesting soul will be deeply missed; and as he taught us all, may he be ringing Heaven’s doorbell with his elbows.

As per Dave’s wishes, the family will not be hosting a memorial service at this time, but invite you to share your memories and messages in the guest book.

Dave’s love for fishing extended to teaching Pines Lake youth the principles of the sport. If desired, a donation can be made in his honor to The Ike Foundation, an NJ-based non-profit organization providing underrepresented youth with fishing lessons and gear. Thank you!

Www.theikefoundation.org