A funeral mass was offered April 4 at St. Michael’s R.C. Church for James F. Boylan, 95. “Jim” passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on April 1. He was born in Jersey City. Jim grew up in the “Horseshoe” section, attending St. Michael’s Grammar School and became a lifelong and faithful communicant of St. Michael’s R.C. Church. He graduated from St. Peter’s Prep and went on to Seton Hall University where he majored in English.
To pay for his education, Jim worked at the Railway Express at night but work and studies were interrupted by the onset of World War II. He enlisted in the Army and was assigned to the 77th Infantry. He was shipped out to the Pacific Theater, was wounded in action in the Philippines and was the recipient of the Purple Heart and Bronze Star.
Upon his return, Jim taught high school English in the Jersey City school system and received his master’s degree in Educational Guidance from Seton Hall University. He finished his career in 1986 as principal of James J. Ferris High School, which, in his honor, is now home to the James F. Boylan Library.
Jim was very active in church and community. He was a member of the Holy Name Society, the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, K of C, Fourth Degree, and was Grand Marshal of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Jersey City in 1996. Jim also served on the Archdiocesan Advisory Council; the Mayor’s Committee of Community Grants and was chairman of the Board of Trustees for St. Francis Hospital.
Jim had a great love for travel, reading, learning and his summers at Monmouth Beach. He was a man of great perseverance, had a love for life and devotion to family, friends and his church. His source of strength and wisdom will be greatly missed. Jim was predeceased by his wife Helen P. Boylan, his son James and his sister Rosanna Nelson; father of Mary O’Grady, Ellen O’ Grady, Joan Wladyka, Ann Galvin, Monica Bonner, Paul Boylan and Karen Boylan Young; sonsinlaw Bob O’Grady, Paul O’Grady, Joe Wladyka, Thomas Galvin, Patrick Bonner, John Young; daughters in law Octavia and Patricia Boylan; grandfather of 27 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. Services arranged by the McLaughlin Funeral Home, Jersey City.