Providence Journal (RI) - Wednesday, November 27, 1991
James D. "Jimmy" Rielly, 83, of 126 Thames St., Town Crier, who for more than 50 years played Santa Claus at orphanages, hospitals, nursing homes, schools and the State House, died yesterday at home. He was the husband Adeleen D. (D'Amore) Rielly.
U.S. Sen. Claiborne Pell once had Mr. Rielly's name entered into the Congressional Record for his kindness to people as "a truly remarkable Santa Claus from Rhode Island."
Mr. Rielly also portrayed the character Charlie Weaver for 10 years, appearing in the Bristol Fourth of July parades, and at other functions. The real "Charlie Weaver," comedian Cliff Arquette, once wrote to Rielly, telling him "to keep up the good work, but not to take any checks."
Mr. Reilly, who had been featured on the television show PM Magazine, took part in all of the town's Independence Day parades.
Among his many civic and service awards was the Bristol Citizen of the Year Award bestowed on him by the Democratic Town Committee in 1989. The town in 1970 named a street in his honor, Rielly Lane, and in 1975 dedicated a bench at Rockwell Park in his honor.
During the summer months, Mr. Rielly spent much of his time combing the beaches of Prudence Island, where islanders knew him as "The Leprechaun."
Born in Bristol, he was a son of the late Richard W. and Caroline (Foster) Rielly.
He was a custodian at the Bristol National Guard Armory and the Bristol Court House for a total of 14 years before retiring in 1978. He previously worked for the former Collins & Aikman Co. for 30 years.
Mr. Rielly was communicant of St. Mary Church. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, an honorary member of the Bristol Rotary Club, a member of the Bristol Elks, and the Cup Defenders Association.
Besides his wife he leaves three daughters, Lee Ann Sylvia and Patricia R. Keane, both of Bristol, and Jane D. Sperling of Norfolk, Va.; three sons, Richard F. Rielly of Abilene, Texas, Ronald P. and James V. Rielly, both of Bristol, and 14 grandchildren. He was brother of the late Arthur Rielly, the late Caroline Ritch, and grandfather of the late Nancy Lee Sperling.
A Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday at 9:3 9a.m. at St. Mary Church, State Street. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery.
Contributor: GPoppa (46925364)
James D. "Jimmy" Rielly, 83, of 126 Thames St., Town Crier, who for more than 50 years played Santa Claus at orphanages, hospitals, nursing homes, schools and the State House, died yesterday at home. He was the husband Adeleen D. (D'Amore) Rielly.
U.S. Sen. Claiborne Pell once had Mr. Rielly's name entered into the Congressional Record for his kindness to people as "a truly remarkable Santa Claus from Rhode Island."
Mr. Rielly also portrayed the character Charlie Weaver for 10 years, appearing in the Bristol Fourth of July parades, and at other functions. The real "Charlie Weaver," comedian Cliff Arquette, once wrote to Rielly, telling him "to keep up the good work, but not to take any checks."
Mr. Reilly, who had been featured on the television show PM Magazine, took part in all of the town's Independence Day parades.
Among his many civic and service awards was the Bristol Citizen of the Year Award bestowed on him by the Democratic Town Committee in 1989. The town in 1970 named a street in his honor, Rielly Lane, and in 1975 dedicated a bench at Rockwell Park in his honor.
During the summer months, Mr. Rielly spent much of his time combing the beaches of Prudence Island, where islanders knew him as "The Leprechaun."
Born in Bristol, he was a son of the late Richard W. and Caroline (Foster) Rielly.
He was a custodian at the Bristol National Guard Armory and the Bristol Court House for a total of 14 years before retiring in 1978. He previously worked for the former Collins & Aikman Co. for 30 years.
Mr. Rielly was communicant of St. Mary Church. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, an honorary member of the Bristol Rotary Club, a member of the Bristol Elks, and the Cup Defenders Association.
Besides his wife he leaves three daughters, Lee Ann Sylvia and Patricia R. Keane, both of Bristol, and Jane D. Sperling of Norfolk, Va.; three sons, Richard F. Rielly of Abilene, Texas, Ronald P. and James V. Rielly, both of Bristol, and 14 grandchildren. He was brother of the late Arthur Rielly, the late Caroline Ritch, and grandfather of the late Nancy Lee Sperling.
A Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday at 9:3 9a.m. at St. Mary Church, State Street. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery.
Contributor: GPoppa (46925364)
Providence Journal (RI) - Wednesday, November 27, 1991
James D. "Jimmy" Rielly, 83, of 126 Thames St., Town Crier, who for more than 50 years played Santa Claus at orphanages, hospitals, nursing homes, schools and the State House, died yesterday at home. He was the husband Adeleen D. (D'Amore) Rielly.
U.S. Sen. Claiborne Pell once had Mr. Rielly's name entered into the Congressional Record for his kindness to people as "a truly remarkable Santa Claus from Rhode Island."
Mr. Rielly also portrayed the character Charlie Weaver for 10 years, appearing in the Bristol Fourth of July parades, and at other functions. The real "Charlie Weaver," comedian Cliff Arquette, once wrote to Rielly, telling him "to keep up the good work, but not to take any checks."
Mr. Reilly, who had been featured on the television show PM Magazine, took part in all of the town's Independence Day parades.
Among his many civic and service awards was the Bristol Citizen of the Year Award bestowed on him by the Democratic Town Committee in 1989. The town in 1970 named a street in his honor, Rielly Lane, and in 1975 dedicated a bench at Rockwell Park in his honor.
During the summer months, Mr. Rielly spent much of his time combing the beaches of Prudence Island, where islanders knew him as "The Leprechaun."
Born in Bristol, he was a son of the late Richard W. and Caroline (Foster) Rielly.
He was a custodian at the Bristol National Guard Armory and the Bristol Court House for a total of 14 years before retiring in 1978. He previously worked for the former Collins & Aikman Co. for 30 years.
Mr. Rielly was communicant of St. Mary Church. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, an honorary member of the Bristol Rotary Club, a member of the Bristol Elks, and the Cup Defenders Association.
Besides his wife he leaves three daughters, Lee Ann Sylvia and Patricia R. Keane, both of Bristol, and Jane D. Sperling of Norfolk, Va.; three sons, Richard F. Rielly of Abilene, Texas, Ronald P. and James V. Rielly, both of Bristol, and 14 grandchildren. He was brother of the late Arthur Rielly, the late Caroline Ritch, and grandfather of the late Nancy Lee Sperling.
A Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday at 9:3 9a.m. at St. Mary Church, State Street. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery.
Contributor: GPoppa (46925364)
James D. "Jimmy" Rielly, 83, of 126 Thames St., Town Crier, who for more than 50 years played Santa Claus at orphanages, hospitals, nursing homes, schools and the State House, died yesterday at home. He was the husband Adeleen D. (D'Amore) Rielly.
U.S. Sen. Claiborne Pell once had Mr. Rielly's name entered into the Congressional Record for his kindness to people as "a truly remarkable Santa Claus from Rhode Island."
Mr. Rielly also portrayed the character Charlie Weaver for 10 years, appearing in the Bristol Fourth of July parades, and at other functions. The real "Charlie Weaver," comedian Cliff Arquette, once wrote to Rielly, telling him "to keep up the good work, but not to take any checks."
Mr. Reilly, who had been featured on the television show PM Magazine, took part in all of the town's Independence Day parades.
Among his many civic and service awards was the Bristol Citizen of the Year Award bestowed on him by the Democratic Town Committee in 1989. The town in 1970 named a street in his honor, Rielly Lane, and in 1975 dedicated a bench at Rockwell Park in his honor.
During the summer months, Mr. Rielly spent much of his time combing the beaches of Prudence Island, where islanders knew him as "The Leprechaun."
Born in Bristol, he was a son of the late Richard W. and Caroline (Foster) Rielly.
He was a custodian at the Bristol National Guard Armory and the Bristol Court House for a total of 14 years before retiring in 1978. He previously worked for the former Collins & Aikman Co. for 30 years.
Mr. Rielly was communicant of St. Mary Church. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, an honorary member of the Bristol Rotary Club, a member of the Bristol Elks, and the Cup Defenders Association.
Besides his wife he leaves three daughters, Lee Ann Sylvia and Patricia R. Keane, both of Bristol, and Jane D. Sperling of Norfolk, Va.; three sons, Richard F. Rielly of Abilene, Texas, Ronald P. and James V. Rielly, both of Bristol, and 14 grandchildren. He was brother of the late Arthur Rielly, the late Caroline Ritch, and grandfather of the late Nancy Lee Sperling.
A Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday at 9:3 9a.m. at St. Mary Church, State Street. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery.
Contributor: GPoppa (46925364)
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