It can take ages to get an older dog used to a crate. I would never shut a dog in that wasn't already happy to spend time on it's own in there and go in by itself. If the only way he would go in there was if you went in first and then you were shutting him in, tbh, it's not suprising he was getting distressed.
Obviously it's up to you if you want to use a crate or not, but they are a great tool and a great confidence giver to dogs as it's the dogs own little den where he cannot be disturbed. My oldest dog isn't bothered about the crate and we nevr use them once puppies are toilet trained/can be relied upon not to chew, but we have kept one for the youngest dog as he is quite insecure and he loves it. The younger two Goldens are very envious of his lovely crate and it's quite funny to see two adult Golden Retrievers and a lab x staff all squeeze into a 3ft crate. It's barely big enough for an adult Golden to get in alone. 
If you wanted to try the crate again, it has to be a very gradual thing. Feed the dog near the crate but not in it, do trainign near the crate, gradually move feeds nearer the crate and then once the dinner can be fed right by the open crate door, leave some chicken just inside the door. Don't make any fuss, just leave it there for the dog to see. Tie a temtping toy in the crate so if the dog wants it it has to go in there, always make sure lots of tasty treats are left inside the crate so if the dog ever does go in it starts to associate the crate with great things. He might never want to go in, but over a long period of time he probably would. Never shut him in until he is happily seeing the crate as his den and even then it has to be very gradual. Initially shutting the door, giving a treat through the door and instantly opning it again, building up. It can be a very long process, but the dog must feel confident with each stage before you move on.
It sounds like you think a lot of the dog, he's lucky to have found you.