Frank Golden

Groton — Michael Francis Golden “Frank,” 95, always reminded us that “life is short, so eat dessert first!” For him life wasn’t short, though he enjoyed every minute as if it was. Frank, known to many as Pop Pop, died Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. He’s now dancing in heaven with his wife, Jean.

Everyone felt better for having spent time with Frank, as he treated all with respect and a joke. A wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend, he is survived by his daughter, Bernadette, and granddaughter, Brynna Jean.

Beginning as a bicycle messenger, working through almost every management position, he gave 40 years of service to Exxon. He was proud of his World War II service in the Navy Seabees. A generous volunteer for many organizations in Bayonne, N.J., where he lived most of his life, he served on the boards of the Community Mental Health Center, Equal Opportunity Foundation, Bayonne Board of Ed, was president of the Irish American League, committee member for the N.J. State Irish Festival, chairman of the Bayonne St. Patrick Parade Committee, and its 1985 Grand Marshal. Up Mayo! He was president of the Holy Name Society, Parish Council member, and the most welcoming usher at St. Vincent de Paul Church. He attended Princeton and Cornell universities, and Middlebury College through the Navy OCS, graduated from Seton Hall University, and held a teaching certificate from St. Peter’s College.

Kindness, love and laughter were Frank’s true life work. He’d tell everyone to take it, “slow and easy,” because “these are the good old days.”

A funeral Mass will be held Oct. 15 at St. Vincent de Paul Church, Bayonne, N.J. Local celebration of Frank’s beautiful life is private.

Memorial donations may be sent to Center for Hospice Care Southeastern Connecticut.