A. James Rinella

A. James “Jim” Rinella, of Weymouth, passed away November 28, 2016. The son of the late Margaret and Frank Rinella. He was the loving husband of the late Becky Rinella. 

Jim was a life member of the Plymouth County Teachers Assoc. and the National Education Assoc. He was a past member of the Mass State Teachers Assoc., the Knights of Columbus, and on the board of directors for the North Weymouth Civic Assoc. He was a lifelong resident of North Weymouth and member of St. Jerome Parish. 

Jim was a graduate of Weymouth High School, Huntington Prep and Boston College. He taught fifth grade in the Scituate Public Schools for 32 years and coached the Scituate High School track team for 27 years. His teams went undefeated for a decade winning 91 consecutive meets. They won numerous league titles, 4 state relay titles, and 1 state championship. Jim was inducted into the Weymouth High School Hall of Fame as a trackman, the Scituate High School Hall of Fame and the Massachusetts State Track Coaches Hall of Fame as a coach.  

At Huntington Prep he was a member of the one mile relay team that won the Preparatory School Championship of America at the Penn Relays.

A humbling experience that he was most proud of was being named to the first edition of Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers by a former student who was one of only five percent of American high school students to be included in Who’s Who Among American High School Students. She singled Jim out as the teacher who made the most difference in her life. 

Jim’s greatest pleasure was his family, friends and the many get-togethers they would have. Other pleasures included sports, cards, horse racing, and he was an avid reader of true crime. 

He firmly believed that the secret to a happy life was one’s religion, humor, love, and the ability to laugh at oneself. 

Devoted father of Robin Rinella Hansen of FL, Jim Rinella and his wife Christine of FL, and Matthew Rinella and his wife Sandra of Weymouth. His sister Marie and her late husband Deacon Ken Finn of CA, a brother Frank and his wife Debbie of CA, his sister Judy and her husband Jim Walsh of Bridgewater, and his sister Joan and her husband Erick Rich of Bridgewater. Loving Papa of Ryan, Anthony, Courtney and Casey Jean, all of FL, Lindsey and Elyse of Weymouth and great-granddaughter Olivia. Beloved companion of Rita Amante of Weymouth. He is also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.  

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the visiting hours on Friday 4-8 PM in the McDonald Keohane Funeral Home NORTH WEYMOUTH at 40 Sea Street (off Route 3A – Bicknell Square).

Relatives and friends will gather in the funeral home at 9 AM Saturday prior to the Funeral Mass in St. Jerome Church, Weymouth at 10AM. Burial in St. Paul’s Cemetery, Hingham.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Jim may be made to St. Jerome Parish, 632 Bridge St., Weymouth MA 02191 or Alzheimers Assn., MA Chapter, 480 Pleasant Street, Watertown, MA 02472.