Eugene P. Plaza

Eugene “Gene” P. Plaza, 77, of Hazle Township, passed away Saturday evening at his residence with his family by his side.

Born in Jersey City, NJ on July 22, 1938, he was the son of the late Eugene and Teresa (Lavazoli) Plaza.  He was a resident of Hazle Township for the past 50 years after moving from Fern Glen.

Eugene was a member of Queen of Heaven Parish at Our Lady of Grace Church, Hazleton.  He was a 1956 graduate of East Stroudsburg High School where he played football and baseball.  Eugene worked at General Foam for 10 years, Roadway Express in Tannersville for 29 years as a Yard Jockey, and at Community Services for Sight for 13 years.  He was a coach of the Burger King team at the Hazle Township Little League, a league officer and umpire.  He was an avid Yankees and New York Giants fan, and was a Giants season ticket holder.  He enjoyed playing golf and spending time with his grandchildren and family.

He was preceded in death, in addition to his parents, by a sister Marion McComb and her husband Paul, and a brother in law William Burke.

Surviving are his wife, the former Nancy Pekala, with whom he would have celebrated 54 years of marriage on July 21, 2016, five children, Thomas Plaza and his wife Tammy, Drums; Lauren Baran and her husband Ray, Devon; Ryan Plaza, Sugarloaf; Mary Jo Zola and her husband Mark, Drums; Terry Ann Plaza and her partner Charles Harris III., Parkville, MD; 11 grandchildren, Shelby and Paige Plaza; Devon, Raymond and John Baran; Hannah, Regan, Isabella and Zane Plaza; Kendra and Kelsey Zola; a sister Eleanor Burke, Lebanon, NJ; and several nieces and nephews.

His funeral will be held Wednesday at 8:50am from the Harman Funeral Home and Crematory (East) 669 West Butler Drive.  A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:30 am at Queen of Heaven Parish at Our Lady of Grace Church, 750 N Vine St, Hazleton, with Father Anthony Generose celebrating the Mass.  Friends are invited to call at the funeral home Tuesday evening from 6 – 8pm.  Burial will take place privately. 

Memorial contributions in Eugene’s name may be made to Community Services for Sight, 109 W Broad Street, 2nd Floor Hazelton, PA 18201, Celtic Hospice, 601 Wyoming Ave, Kingston, PA 18704, and to Queen of Heaven Parish at Our Lady of Grace Church, 750 N Vine St, Hazleton, PA 18201.  Online condolences may be entered and more information is available at www.harmanfuneral.com. 

 Service Information