James William Boland

On June 20, 2022 James (Jim) William Boland died peacefully in Cleveland, Tennessee.  He was 92 years old.   Jim was born on November 18th, 1929 in New York City, New York. He graduated from Manhattan College in 1951 with a degree in Business Management.  James was also a very strong Christian.

Jim met and married his wife Sheryl while living in Connecticut in 1977.  Jim was an international airline pilot with Pan American World Airways and they traveled the world together.  Jim loved the ocean since his days as a lifeguard in NY.  After careers as a police officer and airline pilot he retired and spent many happy years in Florida pursing hobbies like photography, radio control airplanes, writing poetry, surf fishing, and enjoying sunsets with his dogs Avi and Benny.

He was preceded in death by parents James and Margaret Boland; brother Charles Boland and son Daniel Boland.

Jim is survived by his wife Sheryl Boland; his children, Ann Serrie, Jim Boland, Maura Minatra, Lisa Fetzner, Larry Tate and John Tate;  his grandchildren Logan Fetzner, Christian Fetzner, Morgan Fetzner, Jenifer Minatra, Molly Smith, Daniel Miller, Dylan Miller; and Camille Tate; and sister Margaret Toal; and many nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to include one of his poems to share:

REDEEMER

THE RUDDY YOUNG FACE IS NOW WRINKLED

THE CADET RAMROD STRAIGHT IS NOW BENT

AND THE EYES THAT LOOKED FORWARD TO THE FUTURE

LOOKS BACK ON A LIFE THAT WAS SPENT

NO MORE DOES HE FLY WITH THE EAGLES

UNTEATHERED AND FREE OF THE GROUND

GOD AND NATURE HAVE CONQUERED

EVERY BIRD THAT FLIES MUST COME DOWN

HIS FRIENDS THAT SIT IN A BARROOM

AND HE TELLS OF HIS GLORIOUS PAST

AT 3 AM HE GOES HOME TO HIS FLAT

AND THINKS ABOUT TROUBLES THAT LAST

BUT THERE IS A GOD IN THE HEAVENS

WHO LOOKS DOWN ON THIS SOUL WITH HIS LOVE

AND GIVES HIM THE FAITH AND THE FREEDOM

AND FAITHFULNESS FROM ABOVE

AND SOON HE WILL BE FLYING WITH THE ANGELS

A PLACE WHERE EAGLES DON’T DARE

AND SOON HE WILL ENTER GOD’S GARDEN

WITH NO MORE TROUBLES AND CARE

No funeral or memorial service is immediately planned. The family will notify loved ones in the future when a service is scheduled.