In Memoriam: Willem Golden '19

A fun-loving friend. A supportive teammate. A personality as bright as his surname—these descriptions of Willem Golden ’19 were shared last night during a campus celebration of his life.

Golden died suddenly March 19 in Newark, Del., while on a spring-break visit to a friend. On March 22, more than 600 students, faculty, and staff gathered at the Arthur Zankel Music Center to mourn Will’s passing, share reflections, and gather strength during a difficult time.

In his opening remarks, President Philip Glotzbach said, “We come together this evening in sorrow, seeking solace, comfort, and affirmation from one another. And like all human beings, we come together trying to find meaning in response to an event that simply makes no sense.”

He continued, “Indeed, it never makes sense that a young person from our community—a friend, a teammate, a classmate, a student—should be taken from us. It just seems absurd. There is no reason, no purpose, no compelling explanation for it. It is irrational—beyond reason. That recognition of absurdity tells us that we cannot look to the event of Will’s death for the meaning we seek.”

Glotzbach added, “While we come together in profound sorrow, we also gather to celebrate a very special member of the Skidmore family.” He concluded with the suggestion, “Let us resolve, in this moment of shared trial and suffering, to be inspired by Will’s memory—to strengthen our own character, and to reaffirm the bonds of our very special community of respect and care.”

Nigel Smith ’19, president of the first-year class, was affected by the suddenness of Will’s passing. Said Smith, “Tonight I urge you to make your hugs a bit tighter, your handshakes a bit firmer, and your smiles a bit brighter. You never know if you will have the opportunity to see that person again.” Reflecting on Will’s influence, Smith added, “As a name, ‘Golden’ is synonymous with happiness and prosperity. Judging by his effect on campus in such a short time, he indeed lived up to his name.”

Approximately 30 members of the men’s ice hockey team, including coaching staff, stood together on the stage of Ladd Concert Hall as teammate Anthony Bird ’17 talked about Will. “It was clear Will enjoyed life,” said Bird. “We watched game clips together. Will had three points during his time here—two goals and an assist. He celebrated that assist as hard as he did the two goals,” Bird said, as team members—all wearing their Skidmore hockey jerseys—smiled and nodded. “We all have the opportunity to make someone’s day, but few of us do that. Will was the kind of person to do that.”

Quoting a legendary basketball coach, Bird added, “John Wooden said that the most important thing to do is to make friendship an art. Will was the type to do that. Thank you for being here to help honor such a genuinely good person,” Bird concluded.

The ceremony included music by harpist Elizabeth Huntley and a performance of “Let It Be” by Emma Marshall ’16, accompanied by pianist Daniel Pravder ’16.

Parker Diggory, director of religious and spiritual life, cited the Skidmore colors worn by many in the audience. She called the yellow and green accents “an assertion of who we are as a community,” and said that the purpose of the gathering was not only to acknowledge “the grief of Will’s sudden passing, but also to reflect with gratitude and love for what Will brought into this world.”

A candlelight vigil immediately followed the formal ceremony and provided a chance to hear more stories about Will. There were memories from a number of friends, including hockey anecdotes. An emotional Adam Moodie ’19 said simply, “I loved him. He was more than a teammate, he was a brother.” And Mickey Foley ’18 talked about Will’s almost effortless ability to make a situation better by his presence. Said Foley, “You’d be having the worst day of your life, and he’d make you smile.” Foley recalled Will’s pride at being a Thoroughbred athlete: “He was proud of his Skidmore jersey. He was so happy to be taking that roster photo. Take pride in the Skidmore colors,” Foley added. “Take pride for Goldie.”

Will was born Aug. 10, 1995, in Boston, Mass., to Jody and Shaun Golden. He graduated in 2014 from Cohasset High School, where he was an instrumental member of the school’s state championship lacrosse team. In 2013 he was named a Patriot Ledger All-Scholastic Lacrosse player. After high school, Will played junior hockey for the Boston Bandits in the Eastern Hockey League.

That stint earned him consideration from Skidmore hockey coach Rob Hutchison. Although Will was not a hockey recruit, once on campus he approached Hutchison and asked for a tryout. The coach decided to give him a chance, according to a report in the Albany Times Union. Hutchison told the paper, “We kept him, and he earned every bit of success he had in the year. He worked his way into the lineup. He was incredibly coachable, just a positive presence to have in the locker room.” Will played forward for Skidmore.

In addition to his parents, Will is survived by his brother Curtis and sister Corey, grandparents Elizabeth Gutman and Charlene Golden, and several uncles, aunts, and cousins.

Services are scheduled for Wednesday, March 23, at St. Anthony Church, 10 Summer St., Cohasset. The family has suggested that memorial contributions be made to the Will Golden Memorial Scholarship Fund established at Pilgrim Bank, 40 South Main St., Cohasset, MA 02025.

(Photos by Eric Jenks ’08)