James N. Pollard, Jr.
James Nathanial Pollard Jr. was born to James Pollard Sr. and Lillian Bailey in Belize City, Belize. He had 3 brothers – Bernard, Elwin and Anthony and 5 sisters – Gwendolyn, Marigold, Celia, Estella and Thereseta. He departed this life on July 23, 2013 after a long battle with cancer.
As a young man he attended St. John the Baptist School and received Christ at an early age attending the Salvation Army Church in Belize and Honduras. In the 1960’s he made the decision to move to Boston where is met his future wife Gladys Pollard and later married in 1966.
James was a hard working man and had many jobs. In Belize he was a Golden Glove Boxer famously known as one-punch Jimmy and even served as the Mayor of Hattieville for a short while. During his tenure he met several dignitaries including Princess Margaret of England and the Duke of Edinberg. He was a self-taught carpenter and business owner – opening a produce market in the Dudley shopping area in the early 1970 and one on Blue Hill Avenue in 1982. A few years later he moved to New York where is worked for Alexander’s Department Store and then became a building supervisor for PWB Management in the Bronx until he retired and moved back to Boston in 2010.
James was a charismatic and caring man, who made connections and friends very easily and in many of the communities that he lived, children and adults referred to him as “Uncle Jimmy”. He was known for asking if you were doing “good” and if you were, he would reply “I like when you good”.
James Pollard leaves to cherish is loving memory, his wife Gladys Pollard, Claude Pollard of Belize, Carl Pollard, Anne Sheridan of Los Angeles, Denenne Jackson, Steven Pollard and his wife Bernice and Stacey Pollard of Boston, MA, 9 sisters, 5 brothers, 10 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends. A funeral service will be held on Saturday at 11:00 AM in Dolan & Chapman Funeral Home, 5 Canton Avenue, MILTON VILLAGE. In lieu of flowers a donation may be made in memory of James N. Pollard, Jr., to Dana Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284.
Guestbook Entries
I remember Mr. Pollard as a very quiet, observant, and gentle man. He also loved music and the whole staff rocked out to the music. He always made sure that I and everybody else was ok.
Love you….
Uncle Jimmy will always have a special place in my heart. We met when I was a child, I’m sure, but I have no memory of him then and really met him when he moved to NYC. I was immediately drawn to him because he was the exact image of my dear Grandpa Jimmy and every time I looked at him I thought of Grandpa. Uncle Jimmy was respectful, thoughtful, and loving and we shared many, many discussions about personal and popular issues; he had a very interesting world view that caused one to think out the box. Once I even urged him to write a book and he said “Yes, I really want to do that” but, of course, he never had time because that man was always working. The best gift he gave us was the gift of Listening, and thinking things through before acting out.
Uncle Jim made everyone feel special and he had different relationships with different groups of people – I am always surprised to her stories from other family members because they are totally different from my own experience with him.
We are very blessed to have had him in our lives.
Condolences to all his children and grandchildren.
He has gone on to his Reward and will be truly missed.
Sandy Gordon (daughter of C.P. Gordon!!)
Rest in Peace Uncle Jimmy!
Our condolences goes out to the immediate and extended family of Uncle Jimmy..We barely knew each other but we heard many good news about you. We know that you are at peace and we hope that your children and grandchildren will have the strength to cope with your passing. God knows best!! From Sheldon Pollard and Family in Hattieville Village-Belize.
I have only seen my grandfather one time in my life. I wish I could have him around to be with me, my 3 daughters and my dad(his son Claude) and Marian Pollard and her son. He will be sadly missed by us. I want him to know that we love him and we will miss him so much.
Uncle Jimmy gave me a great older sister who taught me a whole lot growing up. You will always be remembered and humbly cherished in our hearts. Thank you for the life you have given to all. Forever Loved.