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William Boland, 57

March 09, 2021

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — William "Will" Martin Boland Jr., passed away peacefully after a brief illness at Cambridge Health and Rehabilitation Center in Fairfield, Conn., on March 9, 2021. He was 57 years old.



Will was born on Oct. 20, 1963, in Cocoa Beach, Fla., where his father was stationed with the Navy. Will was the first child born to William Martin Boland Sr. and Elizabeth Ann Sullivan Boland. He had three siblings: Kevin, Molly (Luczynski) and Michael.



Will's family moved back to North Adams in 1973 and he grew up in a tight knit circle of family and friends. Will honored his family's heritage and history in North Adams and took great pride in the accomplishments of his father and grandfather in local business and politics. Will valued the friendships he developed as a young man while attending public school in North Adams. His group of friends were loyal confidantes throughout high school as well as when he left the area to pursue academic and professional endeavors.



Will was a hard worker and had jobs as a delivery boy for the former North Adams Transcript and as a caddy at Taconic Golf Course from a young age. Will and his younger brother Kevin auditioned and got the parts in the play

"Abe Lincoln in Illinois" as the late president's sons for a summer at Williamstown Theatre Festival in the mid-1970s.



Will's work ethic and intelligence translated to success in his academic achievements. He graduated summa cum laude from Drury High School in 1982. He was an honors student at Hartwick College, where he graduated in 1986 with a degree in business policy. He went on to obtain his master in business administration and finance from the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University in 1992.



Will valued etiquette and decorum. He was a proper person, in both his speech and his manners. His interests were varied, and he had depth. He took the time to learn about a variety of subjects that interested him, and it was important for him to do things correctly. He always felt if you were going to do something, then do it correctly. He was intelligent, courteous and very well read. He enjoyed debating and discussing topics ranging from politics and religion to popular culture. Will was a complex thinker and a deliberate speaker.



Will's greatest source of pride was by far the joy he experienced as a loving father to his two daughters Emma and Claudia. Both his daughters possess Will's drive, intellect, warmth and humor. They have individually proven to be very successful in academic and business endeavors and now reside in New York City.



Besides his daughters, Will leaves his former wife, Susan Frank Boland of Bridgeport, Conn.; his mother, Elizabeth Sullivan Boland of North Adams; his brother Michael and his wife, Jennifer, of North Adams and numerous nieces and nephews. Will also leaves his longtime significant other, Kathleen "Alyssa" Hill. Alyssa and Will made their home in Connecticut for the past eight years with their dog Moca.



Will was predeceased by his brother Kevin in 2004, his father, Bill, in 2010 and his sister, Molly, in 2017.



FUNERAL NOTICE: Calling hours for Will Boland will take place Friday, March 19, 2021, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. followed by a celebration of Will's life at the Flynn & Dagnoli Funeral Home, West Chapels, 521 West Main St., North

Adams. Burial will take place at 1 p.m. at the Boland Plot at Southview Cemetery.



Memorial donations are suggested in his memory to the Flynn & Dagnoli Funeral Home. To add to the Book of Memories, please visit www.flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com.




Recollections & Sympathy For the Family
Post Comment
I am so terribly sorry to learn of Will’s passing. I have such fond memories of Will, and his entire family. We were childhood friends. We had paper routes together. We were caddies together. He traveled with my family to Ireland as young teens once, and we grew together as children trying to find our ways in the world, learning about life. For a time, we spent every day together at play or school or our early morning work at such a young age, when such a thing was safe and permitted. I remember Will as kind and good natured above all else. I never saw him mean or selfish, and I knew him when who we were was all we had. The complications of adulthood were yet to come. His family was always welcoming and generous with me. His mother was a surrogate mom for me, when I was at that end of the street. I value that time. I moved away in high school, and our lives went in different directions. We lost touch. Our time was then, and it is still precious to me. I pray for his family, all of his family. May they find peace in the love they knew, and know that they matter to more people than they may realize. Their kindness and love echo through the years. It is never lost, and we miss them still.
from: Kurt Dolgoffon: 03-23-2021

Mike,

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I am so sorry to hear of another loss in your family.
from: heidi lennonon: 03-17-2021

I was sorry to hear about will's passing, may he rest in peace. My warmest condolences to Mrs. Boland, Mick, Jen, Will's daughters and the rest of his family. You've all bee through a lot these past years and I will be thinking about you all.

Keep the faith!
from: Mike lehron: 03-16-2021

Sending prayers for comfort and peace to Liz, Mickey and your family at this sad time.May god ease your pain and bring happy memories back to you, and may Will rest in peace.
Terry Taft
from: Terry Tafton: 03-15-2021

My heart goes out to you Micky and to your Mom Mrs Boland. I am so sorry for your loss. Please accept my heartfelt condolences.
from: JOHN P GIFFORDon: 03-15-2021

To Mike and Jen and Boland Family, So sorry for your loss, may you find comfort during this time. My condolences,
from: Susan Fitzpatrickon: 03-15-2021

Mike, Thoughts and my prayers to you and your Mom, I’m so sorry to hear about your loss..may God carry you both through this difficult time.🙏
from: Susie Fisheron: 03-14-2021

Liz and Michael (Mickey),
I was so very sad to read of Will's passing. He was an amazing young man and that never ceased to be true! Chris and Jason LOVED when he babysat for them, and Dick and I were always so comfortable when we knew Will was with them. The Bolands were always a family that Dick and I admired and respected. I am so sorry that I only realized the losses and sorrows you have endured by reading Will's obituary--I can't begin to image.
Please know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Fondly,
Gerry
from: Gerry Falconon: 03-13-2021

Our thoughts and prayers are with my old friend Will and the Boland family.
from: Jim and Mary Breen on: 03-13-2021

I am saddened by the passing of Bill. He was a friend through high school and way beyond that. He was a loyal friend. He was always happy and you could always count on him. I am very sorry for your loss. He will be greatly missed.
from: Jacqueline Cyr Andrewson: 03-13-2021

We spent many, many happy times with Will, in Boston and then Westport. I thought that was a lovely obituary that really captured him. Reading this makes me very sad. Sending out our thoughts and condolences to Susan, Emma, Claudia and the Boland family. Robin and Adam
from: Adam Puritzon: 03-13-2021

To Elizabeth, Michael and other family members:
I am deeply sorry to learn of Will's passing. May the Good Lord comfort you all.
from: Pauletteon: 03-13-2021

My great friend is gone too soon, but I will always cherish the memories that we had together with our large group of friends starting before high school and carrying on through our years living and working in Boston. Saying prayers for Mrs. B., Mick, Emma, Claudia and the rest of the family.♥️
from: John Swifton: 03-13-2021

My condolences for your loss
from: Brian McNeil on: 03-13-2021

So sorry to read of Will's passing.
from: Sandy Coteon: 03-12-2021

Liz and Mickey, I am so sorry for your loss. May God be with you and comfort you during this difficult time.
from: Donna Son: 03-12-2021

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