James J. Reilly, III of Melrose, passed away peacefully at the Melrose Wakefield Hospital on August 26, 2020 at the age of 86. Jim was born in Boston, raised in East Boston and a graduate of the Cotting School in Boston. He was a very religious man, resided in Melrose and worked as a Product Inspector for the Polaroid Corporation for 32 years before his retirement in 1996. Jim also worked as a traveling magazine salesman for several years and sold Mary Kay Cosmetics for 12 years. Jim loved traveling with the Single Life Group and also enjoyed traveling up and down the east coast for many years. He was very active with the animal rescue league, loved sports and was an accomplished painter. Jim was the devoted son of the late James Jr. & Catherine (Fennell) Reilly of East Boston. Caring brother of Robert G. Reilly & his wife Annette of Saugus. Uncle of Scott M. Reilly and his wife Lisa of Saugus. Great uncle of Sophia and Scott Michael Reilly of Saugus. Cousin of Jan Thomas & her husband Ken of Boxford, Suzanne Sagan & her husband Paul of Newtonville and the late Mary McKane & her late husband John. Also survived by other nieces, nephews, relatives & friends. Visiting hours will be held at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St., Melrose on Thursday, Sept. 3rd from 4-7PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary's Church, 9 Herbert St., Melrose on Friday, Sept. 4th at 10AM. Relatives & friends respectfully invited to attend. Burial in Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden, In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 309 Waverly Oaks Rd., Waltham, MA 02452.