James F.

Riley

Jimmy, passed away on Sunday, November 17, 2019. He was 68 years old.

Jimmy was born and raised in Chelsea, the beloved son of the late Joseph B. and Helen P. Riley. Jimmy attended St. Rose Elementary School and the Williams School in Chelsea. He began his working career in 1964 at the Chelsea Young Men's Hebrew Association (YMHA). Following his honored service at the YMHA, Jimmy was hired on as a city worker and performed duties at the Chelsea Council of Elder Affairs and the local Senior Center. He retired from city service in 2007 after 35 years with the Senior Center.  Following his retirement, Jimmy continued to be an active and almost daily visitor and volunteer to the Senior Center. In 2008, the Chelsea City Council appointed him to the board of the Council of Elder Affairs.

Jimmy was a well-known and treasured friend to many residents of Chelsea. He was very popular among numerous current and former city government officials as well as several past and present members of the Chelsea Police and Fire Departments.  Over the years, Jimmy was the recipient of several honorary citations from the Police Department, City Council and Fire Department.  In fact, Jimmy received the distinguished appointment as an honorary Chelsea Fire Commissioner, an award of which he was extremely proud. Ever since a young age, when his father was a Lieutenant on the Chelsea Fire Department, Jimmy would frequently visit the fire station where he would proudly say he was going to stop by to "see the boys".

Jimmy was also a communicant at St. Rose of Lima Church where he served for many years as an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist.  And, he was a member of Chelsea Council #83 Knights of Columbus.

Jimmy was well known for his great sense of humor and will be remembered as a gentle, friendly, fun-loving, kind and deeply caring person. Influenced by his years of training as a young Explorer in local Post #109, he could always be counted on to lend a helping hand when needed and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. Everyone was his "best friend".  When he lived in Chelsea, he was actively involved in his apartment building volunteering his services as a building safety watchman.  A few years ago, he volunteered his services to teach a computer skills class to his senior citizen neighbors three times a week.  Some of his other interests included cheering on his favorite Red Sox and Patriots teams, singing along to oldies music, enjoying reruns of "The Three Stooges" episodes on Sunday mornings, and participating in and calling the weekly Bingo games with the seniors at his former apartment building and at the Senior Center.  Jimmy loved the holidays and enjoyed dressing up and playing Santa Claus for the seniors at the Senior Center. He also loved to dance. For several years, he was an active member of the Revere League for Special Needs bowling team.

Jimmy produced and starred in video productions about Chelsea events that aired on the Chelsea local cable channel.  In the 1990's, he was the subject of an award-winning documentary, entitled "Jimmy", which aired nationally on the Learning Channel (TLC) and Catholic TV.

Since 2016, Jimmy enjoyed living at the Connors House group home in Revere operated by Bay Cove Human Services.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, David and his sister-in-law Betty Riley.  Jimmy was the youngest of five brothers. On his passing he left behind Joseph, Jr. and his wife, Anne, of Frisco, TX; Robert and his wife, Penelope, of Milton, Mass.; David's wife, Audrey, of Southport, Maine and Clearwater, Florida; and, William and his wife, Barbara, of Kennebunk, Maine.  Uncle Jimmy will be lovingly missed by his nieces and nephews: Beth Dye, Mark Riley, Margaret Hunt, Diane Riley, Bill Riley, Meghan Thress, Matthew Riley, Colin Riley, Kevin Riley, and Brian Riley.  Great Uncle Jimmy is also survived by 13 great nieces and nephews.

ARRANGEMENTS:  Visiting hours at the Welsh Funeral Home, 718 Broadway CHELSEA on Monday, November 25th, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM.  Relatives and friends are most kindly invited to attend.  Funeral from the Welsh Funeral Home on Tuesday at 9:00 A.M.  Followed by a funeral mass at St. Rose Church, 600 Broadway Chelsea at 10:00 A.M. Services will conclude with interment at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.  Funeral home fully handicap accessible, ample parking opposite funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in Jimmy's memory be made to: Living Hope Services, 85 Crescent Avenue, Chelsea, MA 02150