Former Owner of Paper Parade in Hazlet, Hallmark in Holmdel Dies at 82

James Lawrence Boland Jr. most recently of Venice, FL died March 15, 2013. He was born on February 18, 1931 in Newark, NJ.

Boland was the son of James Lawrence and Edith Hand Boland of Worcester, MA. He was raised in Newark and Kearney, NJ; graduated Woodbridge High School 1948 and was 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 Air Force Base (Biloxi, MS) Baseball Team.

In 1952 the Air Force transferred Jim to Keflavík 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; Kristin'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 his brother Robert Boland; Yiva S. Parsons, the love of his life and his partner of 25 years; his four children, James, Glenn, Kristin and Sean; nieces Patty, Bonnie, Karen and Nephew Robert; Ylva's two children, Eric Parsons, Caren Harvey and twelve grandchildren. 

A funeral service was held on March 20 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.