Liam Golden

The death has taken place at Abbey Breaffy Nursing Home, of Mr Liam Golden, one of the town’s best-known and most highly-regarded residents. Liam passed away peacefully in the presence of his loving family.
Liam was born in Westport in 1926 and became the third generation of the Golden family to operate a drapery business in the town. He and his wife Rose ran Golden’s Drapery Shop at Bridge Street until their retirement from the business in 1988.
Liam will be fondly remembered on many fronts in Westport for his extensive community work. He exemplified what volunteerism is within a community through his involvement in a wide range of organisations, most notably the local conference of the St Vincent de Paul society, Westport Golf Club and the Westport Tourism Development Company.
With his wife Rose, also a member of the St Vincent de Paul Society, Liam spent many hours each week working for the welfare of the poor and the marginalised, giving the best service possible while always respecting the dignity and privacy of individuals.
He was an avid golfer and at his prime played off a handicap of 2 and was a member of the Connaught inter-provisional golf team. Throughout his life he continued to enjoy playing and competing at golf. This was exemplified in the fact that he played golf on his 80thbirthday. He was a very dedicated member of Westport Golf Club and was intimately involved in the raising of the finance to enable the construction of the 18 hole championship course. He served as Captain, President and committee member of the club and was made an honorary life member of the club in recognition of his commitment, dedication and service to the club. He was also a keen angler who loved nothing more than to have a day’s river fishing for salmon.
He was a devoted husband to Rose, with whom he enjoyed 53 years of married life until her death in 2007. He was a dedicated father, his family were always his priority and no task was ever too great to undertake on their behalf. He always took pride in the achievements of his children and this was always warmly reciprocated. His grandchildren held a very special place in his life and brought great joy to him and Rose over the years.
Liam will be very sadly missed by daughters Sr Shalom, Dakar, Senegal, West Africa, Maria Lyons, Carrabawn, Westport, Brigid Hendy, Bracknell, London, Emer McFadden, Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal, son William, Barna, Co. Galway, sister Noreen Hughes, Ballina,  sons-in-law Tommie Lyons, Mike Hendy and John McFadden, daughter-in-law Karen Golden, grandchildren Brian, Redmond, Aoife, Ciara, Stephen, Aodhan, Diarmuid, Anna, Dara, David, and Sam, sisters-in-law Teresa Billane, Coventry, Berna Canning, Dundrum, Dublin, brothers-i-law John Billane, Joe Hughes and Fergus Canning, nieces, nephews, other relatives, confreres and colleagues in the St Vincent de Paul Society and Westport Active Retirement Association, neighbours and many loyal friends.
He was predeceased by his wife Rose, brothers P.J. (Patsy) Golden and Fr. Michael Golden.
Following repose at his daughter and son’s-in-law (Maria and Tommie Lyons) home in Carrabaun Westport, Liam’s removal took place to St Mary’s Church, Westport, where, Fr. Karl Burns officiated at the reception ceremony. The concelebrants of his Funeral Mass were Fr Joe Rabbett and Fr. Tony King
Family members sang, read the lessons and prayers of the faithful and brought the offertory gifts to the altar, many of them symbolic of the varied aspects of Liam’s life. Fr Karl Burns paid tribute to Liam for the expression he gave on a daily basis to Christian living.
In the eulogy given by his son, William, tribute was paid to Liam’s life and the positive impact he had on the community of Westport and his family. He had a strong social conscience and he gave expression to that through the various community organisations that he was a part of. He was a man who believed in action over words.
William said phrases like a pure gentleman, patient, and faithful, were some of the words used, by many people, to describe Liam following his passing. They were words that fittingly described him and, perhaps, the most used word was caring, caring for his immediate and extended family and, in a very real and practical way, those who required support in the wider community.
He said many people had been honoured and blessed by having Liam as part of their lives. He had strengthened and nurtured the lives of many people with his kindness, his wisdom, support and prayers. William concluded by presenting the image of his father as a light house – a person who stood there in all weathers, not interfering, but always with the light on to provide guidance for those who wished to look for it.
Liam was laid to rest in the family grave in Aughavale Cemetery. Donations in his memory may be made to the St Vincent de Paul Society, Westport. May his kind and caring soul have peaceful rest.
Month’s Mind Mass in St. Mary’s Church, Westport, on Sunday, April 6, at 10am.