Tolland Obituary: David Golden, 46

David E. Golden, 46, of Tolland, passed away on Monday, August 15, 2016, at Saint Francis Hospital in Hartford, with his loving wife by his side.

Born in Boston and raised in Natick, MA, David was a graduate of Natick High School, Brandeis University, and New York University School of Law Class of 1994. David was a highly skilled and well respected attorney who practiced law in Hartford and Tolland for several prestigious law firms and most recently as General Counsel for Woodbridge Group of Companies, LLC.

David was dedicated to community service. He was the current President of Temple Bnai Israel in Willimantic, where he was passionate about fostering awareness and preservation of cultural heritage. He was both a founding member and the President of The Tolland Education Foundation, which distributes community-funded grants to educators to provide innovative learning opportunities for Tolland's children.

David was an avid fan of comic books, movies and all things pop culture and would often be seen wearing one of his vast collection of super hero t-shirts. He enjoyed taking his kids and their friends on all-day adventures to Six Flags Amusement Park and various comic and anime conventions. Travel was a life-long passion, whether annual family vacation weeks in Newport, RI or farther flung trips to Disney World, the Bahamas, California, Europe and India.

David’s devotion to his family was beyond measure. His children especially meant the world to him and were his number one priority above all else. He was truly an amazing husband, father, brother, son, uncle, mentor and friend.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 18 years, Lily (Nagardeolekar) Golden, his children Sam and Willow Golden, his parents Carol and Peter Golden of Tolland, brother Rick and sister-in-law Christine Golden of Upton, MA, his wife’s parents Sudhakar and Nghiem Nagardeolekar of Tolland, brother-in-law Vikas and sister-in-law Donna Nagardeolekar of Tolland. David adored his three nieces and nephew, Kailey and Eva Golden of Upton, MA, and Sydney and Graham Nagardeolekar of Tolland, along with his many cherished close friends and extended family. He was the loving grandson of the late Eva and Aaron Katz, and the late Rhoda and Alfred Golden. Also left mourning is his loyal dog Samson.

Funeral services will be held Friday, August 19, 2016, at 10:00 AM at Temple Bnai Israel, 345 Jackson Street, Willimantic, with Rabbi Jeremy Schwartz officiating. Interment will follow at Temple Bnai Israel Cemetery in Mansfield, after which all are invited to return to the Temple for a reception and meal. The family welcomes all friends, family and colleagues to attend the funeral service, interment, reception and meal.

The family opens their home in Tolland to sit Shiva (a gathering of friends, family and colleagues where all are welcome to attend) on Saturday August 20, 2016 from 5:00PM – 9:00PM with a Shiva service at 8:15PM, and Sunday August 21, 2016 from 12:00PM – 4:00PM with a Shiva service at 2:00PM. Shiva will continue Monday and Tuesday August 22 – 23, 2016 from 4:00PM – 8:00PM at the home of David’s brother Richard and sister-in-law Christine Golden in Upton, MA.

May his memory be a source of strength and a blessing.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made, In Memory of David Golden, to the Tolland Education Foundation, 58 Tolland Turnpike, Tolland, CT 06084 or Temple Bnai Israel, PO Box 61, Willimantic, CT 06226.