Robert J. Golden, 77, passed away Tuesday, July 14, 2009 at home in Baldwinsville, where he had resided since 2000. Born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, he was the son of Leonard F. and Beatrice M. O'Neill Golden. He graduated from Benjamin Franklin High School in Carbondale in 1949, and from Philadelphia College of Pharmacy in 1953. He worked as a pharmacist in Middletown, PA, and then in 1957, became a partner and then owner of Ecker Drug Store in Corning. In 1975 he bought Belhurst Castle in Geneva, where he and his family lived and operated the restaurant before converting the upstairs into an inn in 1981. He sold Belhurst in 1992.

Mr. Golden is survived by his wife of 53 years, Nancy A. Reed Golden, and four children: Catherine A. Golden of Baldwinsville; Maureen (Mark) Murphy of Baldwinsville; Robert J. (Ika) Golden, of Oro Valley, Arizona; and Michael (Amy) Golden of Golden, Colorado, as well as six grandchildren: Ciara, Christiane, and Conor Murphy of Baldwinsville; Charles and Andrea Golden of Oro Valley, AZ; and Anthony Golden of Golden, CO. Also surviving are his sister, Sister Joan M. Golden, IHM, Scranton, PA; his brothers James J. (Patricia) Golden of Paoli, PA and Thomas J. (Janan) Golden of Alexandria, VA; sister-in-law, Louise Sindall of Bel Air, MD; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by three of his sisters: Margaret M. Miller, Ann M. Golden, and Mary T. Gardier.

A memorial mass will be celebrated on Monday, July 20, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Augustine's Church, 7333 O'Brien Road, Baldwinsville, immediately followed by internment at St. Mary's Cemetery, Dewitt.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Augustine's Church, Bereavement Ministry.