Sanford Golden, 89; owned china shop

Sanford "Sandy" Golden, 89, who co-owned the China Outlet & Gourmet Garage in Somers Point, N.J., died Friday, Dec. 12, in Clearwater, Fla.

For many years, he and his wife, Gloria, ran the "popular stop for shoregoers seeking bridal and shower gifts, as well as kitchen equipment for their summer homes," according to a 1994 Philadelphia Daily News article.

Mr. Golden was born in Albany, N.Y., in 1925 to Rachel and Joseph Golden. He attended Syracuse University until he was drafted during World War II. He served in the Army as a medic and earned a Bronze Star.

After the war, he graduated from Syracuse and married Gloria Friedman. They lived in New York City and Mr. Golden learned the retail business at Alexander's Inc.

He and his wife moved to Minnesota to work with his brother in a family business.

In Minnesota, they had their first child, Jane, who now is executive director of the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program.

Mr. Golden and his family moved to Margate, N.J., to help his father-in-law, Irv Friedman, with his business, Seaboard Oil Co., in Atlantic City. The Goldens later decided to open their own retail businesses, starting with discount stores operating in converted gas stations. Their great success came with China Outlet & Gourmet Garage.

There, Mr. Golden's charisma helped the store develop a loyal customer base. "His wit was legendary. He was so fast, and he was just so on the ball with it," said his son, Jonathan.

But Mr. Golden also had "incredible compassion," his son said, and his relentless teasing was a sign of love: "Even when he was teasing people mercilessly - and he did - people loved him, because it was all done so innocently, and with love in his heart."

Mr. Golden also served as chairman of the Margate Zoning Board and donated funds to support his daughter's efforts, first with the Philadelphia Anti-Graffiti Network and later the Mural Arts Program.

"My dad was an extraordinary man - brilliant, kind, creative, funny," Jane Golden said. "He was really my hero, and he is the reason I do what I do."

In retirement, the couple moved to Florida. Gloria Golden died in 2010.

In addition to his daughter and son, Mr. Golden is survived by three grandchildren, a niece, and two nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to Jewish Family Services of Margate, N.J., via www.jfsatlantic.org.

A private memorial service is being planned for this winter in Philadelphia. For information, contact jgoldenfl@gmail.com.