Irvin Golden

GOLDEN Irvin Patrick (Pat) Golden, a longtime resident of Atlantic Beach, passed away on April 10, 2013, surrounded by his family and friends. He was 92 years old, born June 23, 1920 in Elberton, Georgia, shortly after the end of World War I. Pat never had the opportunity to know his father, who died when Pat was young as a result of exposure to mustard gas during the war. Pat was sent to live with his grandparents, and stayed with them throughout the Great Depression. As a teenager, his eye was shot out by a friend in a quail hunting accident. What would normally be a tragic event actually changed the course of his life for the better, Pat said. Pat benefited inestimably from two separate U.S. government initiatives. First, he served in the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corp) prior to his military service in the medical corps during World War II. Secondly, he made the most of the GI Bill, attending Davidson College for undergraduate studies and then obtaining his law degree from the University of Florida in 1950. He was an active member of the Florida Bar for more than 50 years. He spent most of his legal career with the trust department of the Florida National Bank in downtown Jacksonville. Pat married Helen Tresca Cosby, a Jacksonville native, and together they raised two boys and a girl. During the 60 years of their marriage, 30 years were spent near the St. Nicolas area of Southside. After their children graduated from college and two went through law school, Pat and Helen moved to Atlantic Beach, where he was active in Community Presbyterian Church and Selva Marina Country Club. As an avid golfer he last shot his age at 83. One of the many high-water marks of Pat s career as a Vice President specializing in trusts and estates was his establishment of the Jessie Ball Dupont Foundation, which continues to provide support to many deserving institutions in Florida and other broader causes. He was an initial trustee of the Foundation and was instrumental in settling Mrs. Dupont s affairs, including Epping Forest, her large estate on the St. Johns River in Jacksonville, and Nemours, her estate in Wilmington, Delaware. Pat was always active in the Church wherever he resided. He served as an elder at both Southside Christian Church and Community Presbyterian Church. Pat was active throughout his adult life in the Big Brother organization, and mentored young boys who, like him as a child, had no father. Pat was also a Gideon, and actively participated in that ministry as an adult. Pat believed in the value of education, and strongly advocated to his family that they pursue college for advanced degrees. Among his children and grandchildren, all of whom he loved equally, at least six are attorneys, most following in his footsteps as members of the Florida Bar. Several have even devoted time to his career specialty, now known as elder law. Pat is survived by his loving wife, Helen Tresca Golden; his three children, eldest son Bob Cosby (and his wife Cathy) of Ponte Vedra Beach, Jay Golden (and his wife Patti) of Biloxi, Mississippi, and Jennie Corriveau of Jacksonville; six grandchildren, Jennie, Harrison and Patrick Golden, Christopher and Elizabeth Corriveau, and Matthew Cosby. Pat was the kind of man who would not want even this much said about him; the obituary he wrote for himself was only a few sentences long. He loved and was loved by his family and community, and he will be greatly missed. A Memorial Service will be held today, Saturday, April 13 at 2:00 p.m. at Community Presbyterian Church in Atlantic Beach. Pat will be interred in a private service at Palmetto Cemetery in Brunswick, Georgia, where he will be with his parents, his brother, and many other Golden family forbears. In lieu of flowers, you may wish to make a contribution to Thornwell Home for Children, 302 S. Broad Street, Clinton, South Carolina, 29325; or Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Florida, 3100 University Blvd. South, Jacksonville, FL 32216. Please visit our online Tribute at www.quinn-shalz.com. Services under the direction and care of Please Sign the Guestbook @ Jacksonville.com

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