William Edward Boland Jr.

William Edward “Bill” Boland, Jr. died peacefully on January 29, 2026, surrounded by his wife and children at Jersey Shore Medical Center in Neptune, New Jersey. Born to Eleanor (O’Leary) and William “Lefty” Boland on December 11, 1944, Bill is survived by his wife Joan (O’Brien), son Brian, daughter Taryn, daughter in law Carrie, sister Mary Dougard, brother Thomas (Ellen), cousin Nancy Yewaisis, sister in law Susan, brothers in law Michael (Eve), Daniel (Gisela) and Thomas O’Brien, his cherished grandson, Booker and many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and the “nicest dog you could ever have,” Ted. He was predeceased by his parents, sisters-in-law Anne O’Brien, Rachel DelCastillo, and Mary (Martin Kellogg), brother-in-law Jerry O’Brien, and granddaughter, Leary.

Bill was raised in West Orange and lived there until he and Joan retired to the Jersey Shore in 2010. He loved his hometown and was active in many community organizations, including the West Orange Rotary Club, the Board of Community House, and the Edison Day Committee. For over 30 years, he was the voice of the annual Fourth of July track and field races at Colgate Park and the fireworks at night. He was proud of his Irish heritage, marching in countless West Orange St. Patrick’s Day parades as a member of the Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh and later with the Kernan, Boland, O’Leary Association. In his new home, Bill was elected to the board of the Xanadu Condo Association, where he served for 9 years, including a period as the Board President.

Bill attended Our Lady of Lourdes Grammar School and Cardinal Farley High School. He worked in the auto industry for several decades, rising from mechanic to management.

A former avid runner, he enjoyed sailing, fishing, biking, golf, the beach, skiing, and sharing these pastimes with his family and friends. Bill had the gift of gab – and if you talked to him for even a little bit, you knew he loved cars – especially his prized 1931 Buick. But above all, Bill was always there to lend a helping hand to a friend, family member, or neighbor, from cleaning out after a snowstorm to changing a battery in a smoke detector; he loved helping people and always did so with a smile.

His family invites you to join them for a funeral mass on Thursday, February 26 at 10:30AM at the Church of St. Rose in Belmar, New Jersey.

An ennichement will immediately follow at Saint Anne Cemetery and Mausoleum in Wall, New Jersey.

Flowers are not permitted. Instead, contributions in Bill’s memory may be made to West Orange Community House (https://www.bgcwo.org/give-today) or Rescue Ridge Pet Rescue at the Jersey Shore (https://rescueridge.com).

Arrangements are entrusted to Jersey Shore Cremation Service, 43 Taylor Avenue, Manasquan, NJ - JerseyShoreCremation.com