By Rebecca Billman
The Cincinnati Enquirer

LeRoy "Roy" Madison, a successful public relations man who wrote radio scripts for WLW and operated Roy Madison & Associates public relations firm, died Saturday at his home in East Walnut Hills.

Mr. Madison, 97, started his own company after working as director of public relations for the Ralph H. Jones Advertising Agency. His first client was the late U.S. Senator Robert A. Taft.

"There were others in the public relations business here when Roy started, but he certainly was among the first to create newsworthy events for his client," said his friend, Jim Schottelkotte. "He was a kind, caring, and generous man, and one of the most creative people I've ever known."

Born in Ambridge, Pa., in 1905, Mr. Madison graduated from St. John Preparatory school in Dayton and the University of Dayton.

He taught high school English, Latin and history in Dayton, then at Purcell High School during the Depression.

He enlisted in the Marines during World War II and was assigned as a recruiting staff sergeant in Cincinnati, according to Mr. Schottelkotte. Mr. Madison developed a 15-minute radio program on WLW that featured news about Cincinnati-area servicemen.

That led to a job with the Jones agency after the war. Mr. Madison went out on his own in 1949 and merged with J.L. Magro Associates, forming Madison, Magro Associates Inc. in 1961.

He retired from the firm in 1970.

In retirement, he became a prolific poet. Last year, friends published a volume of his poems. Mr. Madison also enjoyed entertaining at his home.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Revella Brichetto, in 1998.

Survivors include a son, William Madison of Coventry, England.

A memorial Mass will be 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Rose Church, 2501 Eastern Ave., East End.

His body was donated to the University of Cincinnati's College of Medicine.

Memorials: Marianist Mission, Mount Saint John, 4435 E. Patterson Road, Dayton, OH 45481-0001.

E-mail rbillman@enquirer.com