Ivair Madrona

Waltham - Mr. Ivair Madrona Sr., of Waltham, formerly of Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood, died Saturday, August 21, 2010 in his home after an illness. He was 68.

Ivair was born July 2, 1942 in Tarumirim, Minas Gerais, Brazil a son of the late Pedro Madrona da Silveira and Laurentina Silveira de Jesus. He was raised in Brazil and moved to the United States in 1971. He settled in the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston before moving to Waltham in September 2009. He would often visit his native Brazil where he maintained a family farm in his hometown.

He worked as a chef at the former Café Budapest on Exeter Street in Boston for almost 30 years before retiring when the restaurant closed. He was an extremely hard worker and was a dedicated employee to the restaurant. He was equally dedicated to his family both immediate and extended.

In addition to his parents he was predeceased by his brother, Jose Madrona da Silveira.

He leaves his son, Ivair ‘Nino’ Madrona Jr., of Boston; his former wife, Maria Tereza (dos Santos) Madrona of Boston; his siblings, Zentil Madrona, Maria M. de Jesus, Nadir Madrona de Souza, Pedro Madrona Filho, Miguel Madrona Coelho, Neli Madrona Coelho and Adir Madrona Coelho, all in Brazil; many nieces and nephews including, Charleston Madrona and his wife, Igaldeangela Lima Madrona of Waltham, whom he considered a second son.

Family and friends will honor and remember Ivair’s life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. and again at 11 a.m. on Friday morning when his funeral service will be held. Burial will follow in Mount Feake Cemetery, Waltham.