Elizabeth “Buffy” Golden was born in Watertown, N.Y on May 28, 1963. She is the daughter of Stanley and Linda Bach, wife of Jerry Golden and mother to one son, Jeremy Golden. She has three brothers: Bill, Butch and Andy. She was raised in Clayton and graduated from Thousand Island High School in 1981. While in high school she played softball, soccer and ice hockey which she continues playing today. At age 14 Buffy played her first organized hockey with the Clayton Boys Pee Wee hockey team and has played ever since. Buffy received the Kenny Garnsey Award for Most Athletic her senior year. After graduation she attended Potsdam State College and played for the Women’s Ice Hockey Team. After the program was dropped from Potsdam State, Buffy traveled to Arizonia for two years and returned to Northern New York. She enlisted in the United States Coast Guard, completed her basic training in Cape May, New Jersey, graduated 2nd in two companies then returned to Buffalo where her reserve unit was based. She attended Canisius College and received a degree in Physical Education.
In Buffalo, Buffy played Senior A Women’s Ice Hockey and her team participated in many National Tournaments and placed 1st in Minnesota. While at Canisius she assisted with the Special Olympics at the University of Buffalo.
After returning to her home town of Clayton, she worked at Bach & Co and in the restaurant business for approximately 20 years.
She enrolled in EMT classes, took scuba diving lessons and assisted with coaching girl’s hockey for the Clayton Minor Hockey Association. In addition, she has taught swimming lessons for the Cape Vincent Youth commission for approximately 30 years. She has served as Vice President on the Clayton Chamber Board of Directors for the past 4 years.
Buffy married Jerry Golden, a Watertown Police Officer in 1994 and their son Jeremy was born 10/15/00. Jeremy is a 2019 graduate of Thousand Island Central School. Jerry and Buffy reside in Cape Vincent.
In 2003 Buffy fulfilled her dream of owning a restaurant when she purchased O’Briens Restaurant and Bar in Clayton, New York while Jerry continued his career in law enforcement. While this business has continued to grow over the past 16 years Buffy has been able to play a significant role in the community by organizing and hosting benefits. This passion was fueled by the passing of her father Stanley Bach, her father in law Morris Golden and her friend Martha Strouse.
Buffy continues to enjoy the St. Lawrence River and thanks her customers, employees and the community for their continued support.
Buffy will be honored at the Clayton Celebrates! event Thursday, October 10th, at the 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel. Cocktail hour will begin at 5:30 pm, awards will be presented at 6:30 pm. A dinner buffet will follow at 7pm. For more information or to make a reservation, please contact the Clayton Chamber of Commerce at 315-686-3771.
