Executive Vice President of JAM Industries, Michael Golden Passes Away

Michael Golden, VP of Erikson Music/Korg Canada, and son of JAM Industries founder, Marty Golden, passed away Friday, May 11, after a courageous two year battle with cancer. He had just turned 50 in February.

Michael came by his involvement in the music business naturally, having a father and uncles who all cut their teeth in his grandfathers shops, Golden Imports with two stores, one on Craig Street and one just around the corner on St. Laurent, in Montreal. When his father, Marty, decided to venture boldly into the wholesale business on his own in 1972 the stage was set for what would be an incredible success story over the next 40 years and a great opportunity for Michael to find his calling.

Michael's career with Jam Industries began in 1982 while he was still in school when he worked in the warehouse part-time. In 1983 he was made store manager of a retail outlet in Montreal, The Keyboard Shop, and oversaw the liquidation of the store stock prior to its closing. In June 1984 after the store was closed Michael became a regional Quebec sales rep for Coast Music, one of Jam's divisions and gained valuable road experience which eventually allowed him to expand both the product range and territories he covered, eventually including Coast, Korg and Erikson Audio for Quebec and the Maritimes.

In 1992, Michael came off the road and was promoted to product manager for Korg Canada and still kept his hand in Erikson Audio with the Martin Lighting products. In 1996, he was made VP of Erikson Music and Korg Canada and contributed greatly to the growth and success of these two divisions over the next 15 years. On July 26, 2011, Michael was promoted to the Jam executive team as executive vice president of Jam Industries. His dedication and loyalty to Jam and everyone he worked with was only surpassed by his kindness and consideration. He was loved and respected by his fellow workers as well as many of his business associates around the world who were lucky enough to develop a close relationship with him. As hard a worker as he was, no one enjoyed a quite meal, a nice bottle of wine, and a conversation about something other than business more than Michael. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife and best friend, Micheline Bedard, brother and brother-in-law Annie and Jeff, Matthew and Jennifer, brother Joel, daughter Dawna, son Cory and daughter-in-law Jessica, step-son Graeme, mother Marilyn Schwarzbartl Golden, father Marty, and step-mother Yoshiko Golden. He also leaves to mourn his mother- and father-in-law, André and Theresa, and brothers- and sisters-in-law, Mark and Kim, Frank, Melanie, Laurie, and Paul, Lisa and Eric, as well as his many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.