Formally known as the S.D. Wheeler Fancy Club; re-organized in 1960 as Golden Sunrise NYA. Two original Wheeler members are presently included on the Golden Sunrise membership list - The Doyle and Connors Families. The club has remained in the Second Street area since the 1960’s operating out of Frank Shay’s home on the 300 block of Dickenson Street until 1975 moving into the club at 230-32 Greenwich Street.
Legend has it after the death of S.D. Wheeler in 1960, Mrs. Wheeler did not want to continue the family organized club. The remaining officers discussed starting out on their own. They discussed the pros and cons long into the wee hours of the morning, looking out of the window and seeing the sun rise they came upon the name Golden Sunrise.
The first Captain of the newly formed club was WIlliam Doyle, Sr. followed by William Issacs, Frank Shay, Jim Green, Henry Henrickson and Ralph Tursi. In 1971 John Lucas was approached by Frank Shay and his officers to take over the helm as Captain, a position he held until resigning in 1990 returning again some years later, after Dave Shuster resigned, Matt Glovacz was captain for 15 years until 2013, Mike Rubillo is the present Captain. During the years 1983 to 1988 the club won an unprecedented six consecutive First Prizes.