Peter A Boll

Peter Arthur Boll, 90, beloved husband, father, veteran, and retail executive, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 18, family at his side.

Born on September 13, 1935, in Brooklyn, NY, Peter was the youngest of three children of John Ambrose and Hyacinth Helen (Feeley) Boll. He spent part of his childhood in Lebanon Township, PA, before his family returned to New York. A graduate of Roslyn High School, Peter went on to attend the University of Notre Dame, where he proudly played football for the Fighting Irish. He served for a time in Germany as part of Operation Gyroscope with the 11th Airborne, later transferring to the 24th Infantry Division on peacekeeping duty.

Following military service and university, Pete began a distinguished career in retail management entering the Executive Training Program at Sears, Roebuck & Co., then, the largest retailer in the world. With a talent for building effective management teams, he quickly advanced through leadership roles across the New York Tri-State area. It was while revitalizing the landmark Union City, NJ Sears store, he met Joan, who became his beloved wife and life-partner of 50 years.

In an award-filled career focused on reinvigorating lagging stores, Pete’s most significant post was the Massapequa, Long Island Sears. Tasked with transforming empty department store space, he built it into a thriving flagship location at the Sunrise Mall—affectionately remembered as “the house that Pete built.” He retired from Sears in 1989. 

Never one to sit idly in his Pace Landings home, Pete went on to invest his energy and expertise in Machine World, a Long Island based automotive and marine machine shop serving the eastern seaboard. Pete and Joan, along with their 3 cherished cats, permanently relocated to Florida in 2005, building their home in Frenchman’s Reserve, Palm Beach Gardens, where they enjoyed dining out, attending performances at the Kravis and the Maltz Theatres, and entertaining friends, old and new. In his 80s, twice a week, while Joan assisted with sales, Pete greeted and amused customers at the family shop on Palm Beach Island, until his health began to deteriorate during the long stagnation of the Covid lockdown.

Throughout his life, Peter and Joan delighted in boating on Long Island’s Great South Bay and beyond, welcoming friends and neighbors aboard his series of SeaRay powerboats—all named La Giovanna in Joan’s honor. In 1986, due to a shortage of appropriate vessels during the Centennial Celebration of the Statue of Liberty, Pete volunteered to pilot Willard Scott and a very pregnant Jane Pauley through the choppy waters off Governors Island, docking just in time for their live broadcast.

At 6 foot 3 inches tall, Pete was a big man, but he will be remembered for his big heart, his unfailing generosity, his wisdom and his genial, ever-present sense of humor, not only by friends and family, but also by the thousands of employees whose careers he guided, through the years, with fatherly advice. A man of faith, Pete was a devoted Roman Catholic, attending Mass and prayerful Adoration regularly, at churches throughout the Palm Beach Diocese, and maintaining a special relationship with “his” blessed St. Anthony, as well as the Blessed Virgen.

Peter is survived by his loving wife, Joan; his children, whom he treasured deeply; his sister, Mary Jane “Sue” Moll; nieces and nephews, all children of his late brother John “Jay” Boll, and his lifelong friends and business partners Walter Blanck and John DiMario.

A memorial Mass will be celebrated by Father Andrew Brierley at the Basilica of St. Edward, on October 23rd at 11 a.m., followed by luncheon.