Oliver Madge (Ridgeway 1982-88)

We are sad to report the passing of Oliver Madge aged 55 years. Oli attended Mill Hill School following on from his brothers Clive and Colin. He was an active member of Ridgeway House and was Head of House in his final year. Oli was a very keen sportsman and excelled on the rugby pitch as part of the 1st XV squad which spanned for three and a half years. He joined the OMRFC at Headstone Lane as soon as he left school.

Oli met his wife, Lara during his time at Mill Hill School in 1986, when Lara joined Ridgeway in the sixth form. Whilst they weren’t romantically involved until a few years later, Lara and Oli were close friends from the start and kept in touch throughout the years that followed. Their married years were very happy and as two old Ridgeway pupils, had a mass of OM friends that they kept in regular contact with. 

Oli carved a fantastic career within the Pest Control industry, becoming the youngest Chair of The British Pest Control Association (BPCA) at the age of 36. He became the ‘go to’ for the media whenever anything pest related was reported upon and had a regular spot on BBC’s Rogue Traders as well as starring in Big Brothers Little Brother, Sarah Beeny’s Property Ladder, BBC News programmes and Jeremy Vine Show. He founded the consultancies Pestwise and IPM Central excelling at instruction, training and technical contribution as well as co-founding the Bed Bug Foundation and creating a code of practise for the industry.

He has been described as a leading force in the Pest Control industry and a key figure in advancing pest control standards across the UK by the BPCA.

In May last year, Oli and Lara moved to Cornwall with one eye on taking life a lot less seriously. Unfortunately, Oli was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer shortly after the move. Undeterred, Lara and Oli threw themselves into Cornish life becoming Gig Rowers with the local, village team and making many new friends. In April, they bought a motor boat to discover the Cornish coast and to make the most of the time they had left. They were able to enjoy a glorious summer entertaining friends and settling into Cornish life.

On his tribute page olivermadge.muchloved.com, his wife Lara writes:

Oli died way too early, leaving a mass of heartbreak in his wake. In the last few days, in the cards we have received he has been described as a gentle giant; kind; community minded; a lover of life; a great friend; one of the good guys who had a super good heart.  He was an amazing husband, brother, uncle and son and will be so sorely missed by so, so many.   

I cannot begin to tell you what he was to me. Words simply don't do the love justice. He was my life blood, my best friend, my husband, my lover and my soul mate. A kinder, more generous, selfless man you will never meet. The world has lost one of its best.