Pierre-Claver Goudjo Gbedey

Madison–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, Francoise 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: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

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