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Tom Golden Obituary
The Honorable Thomas M. Golden, 62, Reading, died July 31, 2010, in Reading Hospital and Medical Center, surrounded by his family.
He was the husband of Penny J. (Fankhanel) Golden, with whom he shared 42 years of marriage.
Born in Pottsville, he was the son of Thomas J. and Margaret V. (Murphy) Golden.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his two children, Kristin P. Golden Mancuso and Matthew T. Golden, and three grandchildren whom he cherished: William C. Mancuso, Alexander J. Mancuso and Vivian K. Golden. Also surviving are his mother-in-law Judith Fankhanel, and his daughter-in-law Olivia B. Golden.
Judge Golden graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1965. He earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in History from the Pennsylvania State University in 1969. While at Penn State, Judge Golden was a member of Lion's Paw and Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He received his Juris Doctorate from the Dickinson School of Law in 1972.
Judge Golden began his legal career in 1972 at Stevens & Lee, where he ultimately became a partner. In 1979, he joined Howard M. Fry in a partnership for the general practice of law, which grew to become the law firm of Golden Masano Bradley. He served as the managing partner of the firm for 25 years.
He was appointed by President George W. Bush in June of 2006 as Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Judge Golden served as the 109th President of the Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA) in 2003. Prior to this, he held numerous offices in the PBA and its affiliates. He was an active member of the Berks County Bar Association, serving as its President in 1993.
In recognition of his distinguished service to the profession, Judge Golden received a variety of awards and honors. Alvernia University awarded him an honorary doctorate for his service to the community and the legal profession. He received two President's Awards from the PBA for his outstanding leadership. In addition, Judge Golden received the Berks County Bar Association Presidential Award for Distinguished Service and the prestigious Hyman Award for outstanding service to the Bar of Berks County.
Possibly as important as his professional career was his tireless service to the community. Organizations he served include Caron Foundation, Berks County Republican Executive Committee, Republican National Lawyers Association, Council of Legal Advisors for the Republican National Committee and the United Way of Berks County. He was recently appointed to the Board of Counselors of Penn State University's Dickinson School of Law.
Judge Golden's faith provided him strength throughout his life. To this end, he served St. Ignatius Loyola Church, the Jesuit Center for Spiritual Growth, John Paul II School for Special Learning and Alvernia University.
He was a member of the Berkshire Country Club, Berks County Golf Association, Moselem Springs Golf Club, Maidencreek Rod and Gun Club, The Pennsylvania Society and the Washington Library Society.
Anyone who met him would soon know that Tom loved the Nittany Lions, dressing well and attending his grandsons' sporting events.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday at 10 a.m. in St. Ignatius Loyola RC Church, 2810 Saint Albans Drive, Whitfield. Burial will be in Gethsemane Cemetery. A viewing will be held Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home Inc., 739 Penn Ave, West Reading. Please do not send flowers.
Contributions in Tom's memory may be made to St. Ignatius Loyola Church or the The Honorable Thomas M. Golden Scholarship Fund at Alvernia University.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Tom Golden
Nicholas Antos
August 4, 2010
Dear Penny and Golden Family,
My heartfelt sympathies go out to each and everyone of you. You always treated me with respect and honor during the time I had to spend with you.
I am truly sorry for your loss.
August 4, 2010
Dear Penny, Kristin & Matt. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. For the past few days we have noticed that the street lamps in our block have been burning 24/7. We like to think they are for Tom. With sympathy, your neighbors, Robert, Laurie & James.
Leslie Anne Miller
August 3, 2010
Penny and Family,
You are in my thoughts and prayers during this time of loss.
Tom was a gentle giant of a man and I will always treasure his friendship.
The world will be a less interesting place without his presence.
August 3, 2010
Penny and family,
Sue and I were privledged to know you and Tom during the four years I was Regional Director of Glidden in Reading. Tom and I spent a number of hours together relative to Glidden's local business. He and I also spent a number of times on the golf course and at "Fish Pond." Every minute spent with Tom was a special time because of his humor, intelligence, caring for people and his inner strength. My daughter, Judy Byrne, notified me today of Tom's passing on to the Father in Heaven. I was very sad to hear of your great loss. Sue and I pray for your comfort and may each of you receive the peace that comes only from God and passes all human understanding. I will always remember Tom as a special person. I was blessed to have the opportunity to know him.
Sue and Bob Crumling
Cleveland, Ohio
August 3, 2010
SLAINTE!!
TO THE WONDERFUL FAMILY AND LIFE THAT TOM CREATED.
AND FROM AN OLD IRISH SAYING - "EVERY HAIR ON HIS HEAD TURNED INTO A CANDLE AND LIT HIS PATH TO HEAVEN".
PATRICIA MCCOY CARPIN
MICHAEL CARPIN (PALM BEACH GARDENS,FL)
August 3, 2010
SLAINTE!!
TO THE WONDERFUL FAMILY AND LIFE THAT TOM CREATED.
AND FROM AN OLD IRISH SAYING - "EVERY HAIR ON HIS HEAD TURNED INTO A CANDLE AND LIT HIS PATH TO HEAVEN".
PATRICIA MCCOY CARPIN
MICHAEL CARPIN
August 3, 2010
I was shocked and saddened to hear of Tom's death. He was a superb person. Having worked with Tom on several matters during his term as PBA President, along with being a fellow delegate, it was always a pleasure to be in his company. I will miss him.
Nick Noel
Easton, PA
August 3, 2010
Penny and family,
Our sincere sympathy goes out to you. Tom will always be remembered as a great guy and a class act. May God keep you close at this time...
Georgeann & Bob Gibble, Ft. Myers, FLA
Marina Angel
August 2, 2010
Penny,
I'm shocked and so sorry. I'm going to a retreat this weekend and will pray and light candles for Tom, you, and you whole family.
August 2, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with you at the time.
Jack Beard
Jo-Anne Doleva
August 2, 2010
Our deepest sympathy to your family. The community has lost a true gentleman. Bob and Jo-Anne Doleva
Bill Bried
August 2, 2010
Penny and family,
I am very sorry for your loss. As Tom's fraternity brother and a Pa. lawyer, I followed Tom's legal career with great pride. At Penn State, my wife, Claire, and I baby sat Kristin and found her to be such a delight, we named our first child "Kristin". Our prayers are with you.
Bill and Claire McFall Bried
Tom Danks
August 2, 2010
Dear Penny and Golden Family,
We are so sorry to hear of Tom's passing. Adrienne and I will surely keep all of you in our prayers. My times with Tom at the Jesuit Center and with our Woodstock Business Conference meetings were special. We will miss his professional approach and his wonderful sense of humor.
August 2, 2010
We are very sorry for your loss. My law partner and I practiced in front of Judge Golden. We are thinking about you during this time. Andrea Farney & Sharon Lopez
peter cooney
August 2, 2010
dear golden family, although we were 2 grades apart i remember tom as a very well liked guy. his accomplishments speak to the good man he became. he will be missed by all of the people whose lives he touched. my sincere sympathy, peter cooney
Jim Tucker
August 2, 2010
Dear Penny and Family,
My sincere best wishes to you all. Tom was a wonderful individual. My many moments with Tom were always fun , and engaging whether talking about sports ( especially golf ), Penn State or family.
May peace be with you all knowing that he is in God's hands and without discomfort.
August 2, 2010
I am very sorry to hear of Tom's pasing. I knew him in connection with his service to Caron Foundation. I remember him as a class person and a friend. Dick Miller
Jennifer Noll
August 2, 2010
Dear Penny and Golden Family,
My genuine heartfelt sympathies I send to each and every one of you. May the angels surround you to comfort you. As I do know, memories, family, and friends will help you through this.
I will always remember Tom's electric smile and wonderful charm, a true gentle and sincere man.
JoAnne (DiPietro) Goheen
August 2, 2010
To the Golden family. I am so sorry for your loss. Went to high school with Tom. What a great man he became. He accomplished so much in his time here and I am sure you are all very proud. God bless.
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