James "Jim" Frederick Reilley

James, (Jim) Frederick Reilley, of Bayville, NJ passed away November 1, 2021, at the age of 79. He was a loving husband, father, Pop Pop and friend to many. Born in Elizabeth, and later raised in Rahway he moved to Bayville with his wife, Luanne in 1973. 

After high school, Jim enlisted in the United States Air Force from 1961-1965. He worked for the NJ Division of Motor Vehicles for 29 years, retiring in 1998. Jim also served as the vice president for the employee union, Local #518 AFL- CIO for numerous years.

He was a past member of the Emerald Society, the Jackson Moose, and the Toms River Elks. Jim attended Emmanuel Community Church with his family, where he was an usher. After retirement, Jim loved volunteering his time at his grandchildren’s daycare, Red Apple Country Day School, where he assisted with the end of the year cookouts and was fondly remembered as the resident Santa Claus.

Jim was an avid New York Giants football fan and was fortunate enough to see them win their first Super Bowl in 1987 at the Rose Bowl in California. He loved attending Blue Claws baseball games with his family, and really enjoyed watching his grandsons play little league baseball. He was a member of the “Shore 5” softball team, of the Jersey Shore police softball league and shared many fond memories with this group. Jim loved living on the Jersey Shore, where he enjoyed crabbing, watching his girls swim, and driving along the bay in his 1967 Chevy Camaro.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Luanne, daughters Colleen (Douglas) Bowman of Mosheim,Tennessee and Heather (Jayson) Elley of Bayville. His grandchildren, Connor James, Emily, Allyson, Steven, and Xavier, all of Bayville. His brother Alan and wife Chris, brothers-in laws Robert and John Schoemer, Aunt Jeanette Smethers, as well as nieces Sharon, Brenda, Jessica, Christine, Stephanie and their families.  

He was predeceased in death by his parents Charles and Ruth Reilley, and mother-in-law Doris Schoemer.  

Visitation will be held, Monday, November 8, 2021 from 3 - 8 p.m. at Mastapeter Memorial Home on Rt. 9 in Bayville. A military honor guard service will be held at 7 p.m. followed by a memorial service officiated by Pastor Don Meckley. As requested by Jim, he was a donor to the New Jersey Sharing network and his body will then be cremated.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Jim’s memory to the following organizations: Wounded Warrior Project, www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate, Deborah Hospital, www.deborahfoundation.org, and the Popcorn Park Zoo, www.ahscares.org