James D. Rielly

“A Truly Remarkable Santa Claus from Rhode Island”
Bristol, Rhode Island
1908 – 1991

International Santa Claus Hall of Fame Charter Member – December 2010

James D. “Jimmy” Rielly’s legacy as Rhode Island’s most recognizable Santa Claus spanned more than six decades and was rooted in a lifelong commitment to service, generosity, and quiet compassion. He began portraying Santa Claus in 1927 at the age of 19, first appearing at an abandoned chicken coop that had become home to a family of thirteen, setting the tone for a lifetime dedicated to bringing comfort and joy to those most in need.

Throughout his life, Mr. Rielly appeared as Santa Claus wherever he was called, most often at charitable organizations, nursing homes, hospitals, orphanages, and military bases and installations. His appearances were never commercial in nature; he never accepted payment for portraying Santa Claus, believing the role to be one of service rather than performance.

Mr. Rielly’s extraordinary dedication drew national attention. He was featured multiple times in The New York Times and appeared in hundreds of newspapers across the United States. In 1982, he was profiled on the nationally syndicated television program PM Magazine, hosted by Sheila Martindale and Matt Lauer.

In recognition of his generosity and lifelong community involvement, Mr. Rielly received numerous civic citations and honors. Over the course of his lifetime, he was personally acknowledged through letters from notable figures around the world, including Eleanor Roosevelt; U.S. Senators Theodore Francis Green, Claiborne Pell, and John Chafee; Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower and Richard M. Nixon; and His Holiness, Pope John Paul II.

On January 31, 1979, his service was formally recognized when his name was entered into the United States Senate Congressional Record as “James D. Rielly – a truly remarkable Santa Claus from Rhode Island.”

James D. Rielly passed away on November 26, 1991, at the age of 83, leaving behind a legacy of selfless service that continues through his family and the many lives he touched through his portrayal of Santa Claus.

Additional Information
James D. Rielly Foundation