James R. Boldebook

ALFRED – James R. Boldebook, 77, passed away peacefully with his family by his side early Saturday morning, on May 24, 2025, after a short illness.

Jim was born in Memphis, Tenn. on July 18, 1947 to loving parents John R. Boldebook of Gilbertville, Ky. and Louise R. (Ferrara) Boldebook of Springfield, Mass.

The family moved to Agawam, Mass. in 1957 with Jim graduating from Agawam High School in 1965. After a course at Connecticut School of Broadcasting in Hartford, Conn., Jim developed an interest in radio broadcasting, and radio electronics embarking on a radio broadcasting career at stations in Atlantic City, N.J., New Haven, Conn., and Los Angeles, Calif. In 1972, Jim moved back to Springfield, Mass. where he worked for local stations and helped create one of the first automated rock stations in America, WAQY. As part of his broadcasting career, Jim began hosting and promoting many rock groups of that period at shows in the Springfield, Mass. and Connecticut area, and joined forces with the late James Brown promoting shows throughout New England for the ‘Godfather of Soul’.

In 1974, Jim moved to Portland where he managed a radio station acquired by the radio group he worked for and putting a new FM radio outlet on the air. Following the sale of the stations, Jim remained in the Portland area embarking on business opportunities which included five years as owner of a Saco restaurant, Three Thieves Inn with his brother, David.

In 1983, Jim partnered with a local car dealer, Jolly John Pulsifer, to create the first of its kind, a national automobile retail marketing agency. This company worked with some of the most successful retail dealerships across America.

In 2012, Jim partnered with several Maine business entrepreneurs to launch a referendum to approve Maine’s second casino, the Oxford Casino in Oxford. That business was sold to the gaming company, Churchill Downs.

While never married, Jim enjoyed the company of his siblings, John, David and Brenda, their children and grandchildren in the family.

He was predeceased by his parents, his dad, John in 1983 and his mom, Louise in 2015.

He leaves behind many beloved siblings and family members, and his close friend of 32 years, Reginald Breede, who also was office manager of Jim’s marketing company and in his final months a close confidant and dedicated caregiver.

Visiting hours will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, May 30 at Cote Funeral Home Chapel, 87 James St., Saco. A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 31, at Notre Dame Chapel, Brothers of Christian Instruction, on Shaker Hill in Alfred. Burial will follow in Laurel Hill Cemetery, Saco. To view James memorial page or leave an online condolence, please visit http://www.cotefuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to

Hospice of Southern Maine

390 U.S. Route 1

Scarborough, ME 04072