James Lawrence Boland

James Lawrence Boland Jr. most recently of Venice, FL passed away March 15, 2013. Born February 18, 1931 Newark, NJ. Son of James Lawrence and Edith Hand Boland of Worcester, MA. James grew up in Newark and Kearney, NJ; graduated Woodbridge High School 1948; inducted into the Woodbridge High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 1995 as a triple varsity athlete. James was recruited by the NEW YORK GIANTS minor league system as a starting pitcher. After his career in the minors and the Border League he entered the air force and played for the Keesler Airforce Base (Biloxi, MS) Baseball Team. In 1952 the Airforce transferred Jim to Keflavéƒk Iceland where he met his future bride, the former Hrafnhildur (Haddy) Sigurgisladottir who preceded him in death August 22, 2007. As a lifelong retailer and one of the very first Hallmark Card Store operators Jim opened his first store, Jim’s candy store on Dodd Street East Orange, NJ in 1955. He and his young family of six lived in a 3 room apartment behind the store. During the span of 53 years Jim owned many different Hallmark, and party good stores: Colonial Cards and Gifts Perth Amboy, NJ; Paper Parade Hazlet, NJ; Kristéƒn’s Hallmark South Plainfield and Holmdel, NJ; Party Warehouse Marlton, NJ; plus many others. Jim sold his last business in 2008 retiring to Venice FL. Jim was an avid sports fan and an accomplished craps and poker player however he graciously allowed the casinos in Atlantic City, Las Vegas, and other locations to win from time to time. Jim is survived by Ylva S. Parsons, the love of his life and his partner of 25 years, his four children and their spouses, James Lawrence Boland married to Janet Scott Boland of Gloucester, MA; Glenn Hilmar Boland married to Nancy Hood Boland of Sewickley, PA; Kristin Erla Boland married to Holmfridur Gisladottir of Mosfellsbaer, Iceland; Sean Ragnar Boland married to Alessandra Franco Boland of Tinton Falls, NJ; and Ylva’s two children, Eric Parsons married to Ioana Parsons, Caren Harvey and twelve grandchildren. A funeral service was held on March 20th at the Farley Funeral Home in Venice, Florida. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund, P.O. Box 6200, Merrifield, VA 22116.