James A. Poland

James A. Poland, 92, of Frostburg passed away on March 1, 2026 at Allegany Rehab Center from a prolonged illness.

 Born on April 22, 1933 to the late Mary Elizabeth (Tennant) and Clement Aaron Poland. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his only brother, Francis "Bud" Poland.

 Dr. James A. Poland was a graduate of Beall High School and Frostburg State University. He received his Doctor of Optometry degree from the Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago, Illinois. Jim was a veteran of the United States Navy and served in the Korean Conflict. He was recipient of the Maryland Optometrist of the Year Award in 1976, and in 1997 received the Maryland Optometric Association Melvin Waxman award for service to the optometric profession. 

 Dr. Poland was a member of the American Optometric Association, past-president of the Maryland Optometric Association and past-president of the Western Maryland Optometric Society. He served on the Maryland Board of Examiners in Optometry and was a past-president of that board. He was a member of Beta Sigma Kappa International Optometric Society. He was also a member of the Frostburg Rotary Club, the Ali Ghan Shrine Temple, the Masonic Lodge of Frostburg, the Allegany County Chamber of Commerce, the Frostburg Moose Lodge, the B.P.O. Elks, Maplehurst Country Club and the Frostburg United Methodist Church. He served on the Board of Directors of Sacred Heart Hospital and the Board of Directors of the Fidelity Bank

Surviving are his wife of 69 years, together 75 years, Judith Mae (Hollern) Poland; son, Jeffrey Poland and wife Lisa (Brant), Jay Poland and his wife Cathy (Robertson); daughter, Joni (Poland) McDonald and her husband Mark; grandson, Matt Poland and wife Kayleigh Somers; granddaughters, Jenna Poland and husband James Mortensen, Ashley McDonald, Meghan (McDonald) Kiel and husband Brian, Samantha Poland; grandson, David Poland; great granddaughters, Esther, Evangeline and Eleanor. Also surviving is sister in law, Doris Poland and brother in law, Paul Hollern as well as many nieces and nephews.

Dr. Poland was a practicing optometrist in Frostburg and then in Cumberland, Maryland for 53 years. He built the Lifetime Eyecare Building in downtown Cumberland in 1997 along with his son and business partner Dr. Jeffrey Poland. Family and optometry were his passions in life. 

Jim used to say "I have loved my job so much... I never really felt that I worked a day in my life."