Pierre-Claver Goudjo Gbedey, age 77, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, July 3, 2017. He was born on September 9, 1939 in Lome´, Togo, West Africa. He spent his childhood in Lome´, and was educated in Cannes and Nice, France, where he also played semi-professional soccer. In 1973 he joined his wife Elinor Carstens in Madison, WI.
Pierre impacted Madison through his various interests: he coached and played with Dynamos Soccer Team and was inducted into the Wisconsin Soccer Hall of Fame; as DJ Captain Juju, he hosted the radio show Tropical Rhythms on WORT; he shared his love of music with Madison by bringing live acts representing the African Diaspora; Pierre owned and operated the African boutique Vision d’Afrique, and the restaurant Le Baobob-Chez Pierre on Willy Street; he was a founding member of the African Association of Madison for which he was a past president; he was a founding member of the Togolese Association in Madison for which he also served as president.
He is survived by his wife, Elinor; children, Gerard (Camille), Nestor, Françoise and Catherine; grandchildren, Dominique, Khaleel, Mekhi, Gehrmayne, Cajla, Eden, Jordan, Junior and Miles; and also many siblings, relatives and loved ones in the U.S., France, Germany and West Africa, including his nephew, Late´ “Momo” of Madison.
A prayer service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 15, 2017 at Ryan Funeral Home, 2418 N. Sherman Avenue. Visitation will be held from 1 p.m. until the time of service on Saturday at the funeral home.
To view and sign this guestbook, visit: http://www.ryanfuneralservice.com/notices/Pierre-Claver-Gbedey
July 15, 2017
1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Ryan Funeral Home
2418 N. Sherman Avenue
Madison, WI 53704
July 15, 2017
4:00 PM
Ryan Funeral Home
2418 N. Sherman Avenue
Madison, WI 53704