Thomas M. Golden

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 Dickenson 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 Dickenson 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 Fish and Game 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 am 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 pm 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 Loyala Church or the The Honorable Thomas M. Golden Scholarship Fund at Alvernia University.