SHERWOOD M. (SONNY) GOLDEN JR
OXFORD – Sherwood M. (Sonny) Golden Jr., 71, of Oxford, a well-known business man, passed away Monday morning, October 26, 2015, at the Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown.
Sonny was born in Norwich on September 22, 1944, the son of Sherwood M. and Floretta Burdick Golden Sr. He grew up in the Oxford area where he attended the Oxford school. He spent his whole life working, operating and owning Golden’s Body Shop which consisted of the body shop, used cars, the salvage yard, towing and rentals. Sonny began in the 1950’s working with his dad until taking over the shop in July of 1970. Over the next 40 years Sonny and his family ran the shop where they made many friends and acquaintances. In 2010 he retired and turned everything over to his son, Tim.
In his early years, Sonny liked waterskiing, bowling and pitching horseshoes. More recently he was known to attend auctions throughout the area, coming home with just about anything. It goes without saying that he loved his cars of any kind and playing in the dirt with his construction equipment which he referred to as his “toys.” He was also known to dabble in real estate. Since his retirement he has spent winters in Florida where he has made many friends. He enjoyed swimming, playing pool, and his golf cart.
Above all else Sonny’s grandchildren were the light of his life, always laughing at their antics and taking them wherever they wanted to go.
In April of 1965 he married Jessie Graves who survives. Besides his wife of 50 years, Sonny is survived by his children; Tim Golden and wife Stacey of Oxford, Shari Hicks and husband Joe of Hedgesville, WV, Mike Golden and wife Angela of Oxford, his grandchildren Misty, Megan and Mark Golden, Sunne, Tia and Kyra Hicks, Jessica and Eddie Golden and his brother Donald Golden and wife Dawn of Oxford. Also surviving are his sisters-in-law Shirley Golden and Donna Cuyle, his mother-in-law Doris Graves and brothers-in-law John Graves and wife Esther, Harry Graves and Art Graves.
Sonny was predeceased by his parents, Sherwood and Floretta; a daughter Misti Dawn; brothers Edward, William, Frank, and Alan Golden.
A funeral service for Sonny will be held on Saturday, October 31, at 2:00 pm from the R.J.Fahy Funeral Home. The Rev. Sherman French will officiate.
Friends may call at the R.J.Fahy Funeral Home on Saturday from 11-2 pm.
Please consider memorial contributions to the Hannah Lee House with checks made payable to Friends of Bassett, mail to Friends of Bassett, One Atwell Road, Cooperstown, NY 13326-9980 or to the Ronald McDonald House, 1100 East Genesee St., Syracuse, NY 13210 with checks made payable to Ronald McDonald House.