James M. "Jim" Boland

Boland, James M. "Jim," baptized into the hope of Christ's resurrection, Sunday, July 23, 2017 at the age of 92.

Loving husband for 62 years of the late Mary C. Boland (nee Collins); Jim leaves behind his beloved children Patty (Glen) Bellinger, Eileen (Joseph) Walsh, Michael Boland, Jim (Katie) Boland, Sean (Elise) Boland, and Deirdre (Andrew) Brown; 19 adoring grandchildren; Christopher (Paige), Matthew (Kathleen), Thomas, Elizabeth (Scott) Trampe, Michael and Stephen Bellinger; Katie (Tim) Mehringer, Joey, Brian, Jack and Mary Walsh; Meaghan, Andy, Patrick, Kelly and Danny Boland; Erin, Hannah and AJ Brown. Four great grandchildren Emily, Madeline, Quinn and James Bellinger.

Born on Amsterdam Avenue in New York City, Jim was very proud of his Irish heritage. He and Mary moved their family from College Point, NY to East Northport, NY to Princeton, NJ before settling in Ballwin in1974. They raised their six kids in a house full of love, humor and discipline.

Jim was a WWII veteran, enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1943 after graduating from high school. Following the war, he went to college, graduating from Syracuse University with a B.S. Degree in Industrial Engineering. His first job out of college was with Western Electric Company where he worked for 32 years until he took early retirement in 1985. In retirement, Jim became involved with the Telephone Pioneers of America retiree group.

Jim and Mary loved to travel, whether it was loading up the six kids into the Ford Country Squire wagon and heading to a cabin in upstate New York or sightseeing the USA and abroad on their frequent Golden Frontier senior tours.

Jim’s other favorite activity and passion was running. His stress relief was 5-10 mile runs. At his prime he was running a 7-minute mile in his 70’s. He enjoyed being a member of the St. Louis Track Club and winning many races in his age groups.

His first love, though, was always his family, especially Mary. She was the joy of his life for 62 years. When God took you Sunday morning, we are certain she said, "Hallelujah, you're home!"

Services: Funeral from the SCHRADER Funeral Home and Crematory, 14960 Manchester Road at Holloway, Ballwin, Saturday, 9:45 a.m. to St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church, Ellisville for 10:00 a.m. Mass. Interment Holy Cross Cemetery (Wildwood). In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Alzheimer's Association. Visitation Friday 4-8 p.m. Friends may sign the family’s on-line guest book at Schrader.com.