Marshall Golding

Marshall, a.k.a. Papa G, passed away December 3 in his sleep at age 95 ½ after a short fight with cancer. It was an argument he could not win. His retirement process had been started two weeks prior with a Dec 3 retirement date. If you knew Marshall you knew he always said, "The only reason to retire is to die. When my time comes, I want to just put my head down on my desk and go to eternal sleep. As long as I am on this earth I will make myself useful to the world." The coinciding dates granted his wish. His office may be just as crushed as family is. One of, if not THE longest, employed lawyers for Department of Justice, Marshall began with the Criminal Division in 1954 where he shared a department and oral arguments with the likes of Thurgood Marshall, saying "he was nice, didn't know him well, but thought he'd be a great guy to grab a beer with. We never got a chance though, we were busy you know". While in the Criminal Division he was involved in several headline cases including those of Dr. Benjamin Spock, Billie Sol Estes, and Brown vs. Board of Education. He was also among attorneys from the Criminal Division who came to the Civil Division in 1983 to open the Office of Immigration Litigation.

When recently asked what do you do if you get a case that you don't feel is morally just, he replied "that has happened. Only twice. Once I was able to discuss the position with the US DOJ and the US Government withdrew their argument (aka the person was legally in the right) and the second time, I could not convince DOJ and therefore recused myself".

A kind and loving soul, he was loved by his grandkids, and loved them equally if not more. He tried to never miss a recital, dance performance, holiday or birthday. Grandkids soccer games “go kiddies!!” were pure pleasure for him. He also rarely missed a DC United home game until this season's pandemic even though needing assistance to get to those mid-field, second tier seats. He passed away under his DC United flag with his DC United blanket. He was one of the earliest DC United season ticket holders and member of the Screaming Eagles fan club. DCU honored him and a few others for their loyalty by inviting them to center field midline to be recognized by the fan base. In earlier years he was very involved with Arlington Youth Soccer as a coach and volunteer. He was also an enthusiastic, long time member of the Ski Club Washington D.C. where he enjoyed the comradery of beach weekends, parties, skiing, playing tennis and generally having fun.

Marshall grew up in New York, first in the city, then in Mount Vernon, NY. At age 15 his four column argument ¬¬detailing reasons to vote for FDR over Wilkie was printed on the New York Journal and American Editorial Page. As always, it was a well thought out argument. He graduated early and matriculated at Yale because he was too young to enter military service. Upon turning 18, he promptly volunteered for the Army Air Corps where he prepared to deploy for WW II. He was, as he put it, the world’s WORST navigator- often ending up a few states away from the intended location during training. Lucky for Marshall...and the US...peace was declared before his deployment. He subsequently graduated from YALE Class of ’49. He was accepted at five of the most prestigious law schools and enrolled at Columbia, where his professor wrote, "you learn remarkably well in your sleep Mr. Golding” on a final grade report. This was a skill he kept his whole life. If you knew Marshall, you knew if his eyes were closed and he appeared to be sleeping yet he was listening to every word. We will assume that skill will carry over to the spirit world. A favorite parlor game in the family was to say something clever about him as he "slept" to which he would issue a snappy comeback, eyes still closed, without missing a beat and following with, “I'm awake you know.”

He will be greatly missed by colleagues, family, friends, and neighbors as well as everyone he affected through his charitable donations. He believed strongly that if you were on this earth you were here to make a positive difference. He was able, via facetime, to grace our Thanksgiving dinners again this year with his traditional blessing in Hebrew and see all of his children and grandchildren virtually --as well as his "best buddies" --our family dogs, whom he specifically requested to facetime during Thanksgiving. We are grateful for the time we had with his spirit on earth. And will miss his voice, his recitation of Irish and Scottish limericks, ballads, and boisterous bar songs. May he raise a glass of whiskey from heaven and toast a long life lived. Huzzah

He is survived by his wife and love of 22 years Carol Finley; his son, Staunton and Grand-children Elizabeth “Ellie”, Henry “Hank” , Margaret “Mags” and Sarah Grace Golding -- all of Denver, CO; his step-daughter Mary Finley Shirley, grandchildren Gabriel Busch Finley and Dorothy Rose Shirley all of Culpeper, VA ; step-daughter Catherine “Katie” Finley, her husband Gavin Anderson and granddaughter Neva Finley Anderson of Accord, NY.

Because of Covid-19 restrictions, no gathering will be held at this time. But in good Scottish tradition, a boisterous Celebration of his life is being planned for June 24th, 2021 on his 96th birthday. Details to be sent in advance. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.murphy-fh.com for the Golding family. If you would like to make a charitable donation in Marshall’s honor please consider Heartland Hospice Memorial Fund at Hartlandhospicefund.org who wonderfully helps the patient and entire family at end of life.