William F Golden

Bill was born on March 1, 1941, in Jamaica Plain, MA. He was the middle of five siblings born to Marie “Reesie” (known as “Trumsie” to her grandchildren) and Ed (“Gramps”). They lived at 28 Louders Lane, affectionately known as “28” to the family.

Bill's foundation in life came from strong family ties and his time at Boston Latin where he was an accomplished student and a star hockey player. He followed his father and brother to Harvard where he excelled as an English major and met many lifelong friends and his future wife, Nancy [Hayes] Golden.

Bill and Nancy moved to Connecticut where they raised their children, Erik and Alicia. While all things didn't go as planned, Nancy and Bill remained good friends and dedicated parents.

Following his passion for English literature, Bill initially taught high school English at the experimental Westledge School in West Simsbury, CT. However, after volunteering in a mental health hospital, he decided to pursue a master’s degree in family therapy. Over the next thirty years he worked at Hartford Hospital and then in private practice where his patients appreciated his intuitive and instinctual understanding of their emotions.

Along his journey in life, Bill became one of the founding members of a talented group known as the “Wackemups” consisting of artists, psychologists, family, friends, and lovers who helped each other build their own homes. Despite the late-night festivities, their unique and exceptional craftsmanship usually exceeded building codes, constructing over two dozen homes in the Northeast. Those years will undoubtedly be remembered as the “best of times.”

Alicia and Erik were always Bill’s pride and joy. He loved playing squash and tennis with Erik. He was passionate about watching Alicia's brilliance on the soccer field in high school and college. He and Erik had a great love of the outdoors, often found cutting wood and working on various building projects. It always warmed his soul to visit North Carolina in early spring when it was still cold up north, sitting on the front porch with Alicia, Dave, and his grandchildren.

Starting as a young boy—whether vacationing in Wellfleet with the family or learning to sail at a camp on the Vineyard—the Cape was always his favorite place to be. Later in life, he and his friends built his dream home in Truro, which he treasured, forever grateful for every nail in that house because it was built with love.

For the past 22 years, he was a partner and husband to Diane Messinger. He saw Diane walking on Ballston Beach and had the courage to approach her and say, “I see you like to walk.” The rest was history; Diane quickly left Philadelphia to live with Bill. While he wasn't always the easiest person, he was fiercely loyal, proud, and supportive. They built a life in Truro, hosting dinner parties for family and friends and serving the community. Bill was a Selectman and served on the CPC and Planning Board. He was Diane's groupie as her painting career took off in the art world, and he was her biggest fan.

As was typical with Bill, his indomitable spirit was always on display, playing pool with longtime friend Terry at the Beachcomber in Ptown, and it was this spirit that helped keep him alive after his cancer diagnosis came with an initial prognosis of one year. He beat the odds, living for four years with a good quality of life.

Bill was many things throughout the various stages of his life: a builder, an athlete, a sailor, a teacher, and a therapist. He was a dad, a Gramps, and a friend.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents, Edward J. Golden and Marie L. Golden, and his youngest brother and best friend, Mark Golden.

He is survived by his loving wife Diane Messinger; son, Erik, and wife, Kara Golden; daughter, Alicia Golden Warrick Bouska, and husband, Dave Bouska; grandson, Aidan Warrick, and step-grandchildren, Nina Bouska and Mason Bouska; his sister, Alicia Finnerty, and husband, Jack; his sister, Jane Soderberg , and husband, Russ; his brother, Edward Golden, and his wife, Eilene; Leslie Golden, the widow of his late brother Mark; plus many nieces and nephews.

We would like to express our gratitude to Dr. Burdette at Outer Cape Health, Dr. Wyluda and his staff, especially Esther, and all the healthcare workers at Cape Cod Hospital. Special thanks to the VNA Hospice, who eased the last month of his life with loving and kind care.

A special thank you to Erik's wife, Kara, and Alicia's husband, Dave, who provided unconditional love and support for Erik and Alicia and gave so much love to Bill and Diane throughout this long journey. Many thanks to Peter Brown, Chuck, Paul, Ruthanne, Sharon, John, Curtis, Carol, Anne, Susan, Milt, and Deb for their unending love and support.

At the end, Bill was surrounded by what he loved most: his wife, his kids, their spouses, his grandkids, and a view of Ballston Beach. The house he built and loved was full.

In lieu of flowers, please consider sending donations to The Lily House, 40 Pocahontas Rd, Wellfleet, MA, 02667.