Irvine Honors Community Leader
Jeremy Goldman’s widow, Debra Goldman, and fellow NWLL Board member, Amanda Babiar, unveil the sign renaming Field #2 at Hicks Canyon Park as Jeremy Goldman Field. Photo credit The Vine.
Today Irvine took a break from a normally jubilant occasion, a Little League opening day, to recognize a loss. Jeremy Goldman was a pillar in the Irvine community who tragically passed away last fall, leaving his wife of 20 years, three children, and countless friends and colleagues in shock and dismay.
As an Irvine-based defense attorney, former Northwood Little League (NWLL) President, and frequent Shir HaMa’alot synagogue volunteer, Jeremy’s leadership in various Irvine organizations was legendary. Last November, current and past NWLL leaders asked Irvine City Council to recognize Jeremy’s generosity by renaming Field #2 at Hicks Canyon Park as Jeremy Goldman Field. Irvine City Council unanimously approved the request.
NWLL worked in conjunction with Irvine City Council to create signage for the park. Mayor Farrah Khan, Vice Mayor Tammy Kim, and Councilmen Anthony Kuo and Larry Agran attended the unveiling of the signage and commemoration of the field in Jeremy’s name. Two of his fellow NWLL Board Members, Seth Grossman and Amanda Babiar, spoke.
“Today I stand here as a representative of many friends of a great man, Jeremy Goldman,” said Seth Grossman. “When I think of Jeremy Goldman, I think of the man I want to be.”
Jeremy’s teenaged sons, Braden and Dylan Goldman, spoke of their fond memories with their dad on and off the baseball field. The boys were joined by their mother and sister to throw out the first pitches of the season.
“We are extremely thankful to have a place to remember our dad and some of our happiest times together,” said Braden. “We are so grateful for all the times we had with our dad, in the dugout and on the field.”
Without Jeremy in the community, Irvine is not quite the same. The absence of his powerful legal acumen, joyous sense of humor, and eagerness to volunteer leave so many with an ache in our hearts. Perhaps the Jeremy Goldman Field will be a reminder to all of us to bring his light into the world: to come to the defense of those in need, to crack a joke to elicit a laugh, and to volunteer our time to the organizations we value. The field will serve as a reminder to us all to live life a little more like Jeremy Goldman.