The Partridge Family’s Dave Madden dies at 82

The Partridge Family‘s Dave Madden passed away in Florida on Thursday after a long illness. He was 82.

Throughout his long career, Dave appeared in Bewitched, Happy Days and The Love Boat. He’s best known for playing Reuben Kincaid, the easily perturbed manager in The Partridge Family.

Dave starred alongside Shirley Jones, the widowed mother of musically talented kids, in the 1970s hit. Shirley told The Associated Press this week that the dynamic between Danny Bonaduce’s character and manager Reuben was the best part of the series.

“His relationship with Danny Bonaduce is what made the show work: this strange, mad little boy and the grown man who was even worse as a father figure,” said Shirley, who appeared on the show with her real-life son, David Cassidy. “It was hysterical!”

Even though their characters regularly clashed, Danny and Dave grew close in real life — with Danny later referring to Dave as his “surrogate father.” After learning of Dave’s passing on Thursday, Danny paid tribute to Twitter…

Dave Madden was a great guy & like family to me. He taught me to drive a car when I was 10. One of many great memories. I'll truly miss him.

— Danny Bonaduce (@TheDoochMan) January 16, 2014

David Cassidy told Rumor Fix he is “saddened by the loss of such a sweet man.”

Dave is survived by his wife, Sandra, and two children from a previous relationship.

Since the show ended in 1974, The Partridge Family has frequently run in syndication. It is currently licensed by Antenna TV.