Obituaries in Erie, PA | Erie Times-News (2024)

James B. Spiegel, age 84, an extraordinary man, husband, father and grandfather of Ft. Lauderdale, Fl and formerly of Erie, passed away in Ft. Lauderdale on Sunday, October 9, 2022. Born in Erie April 16, 1938 the son of the late Julius and Helen K. (Schiller) Spiegel.

Jim was a graduate of Cathedral Preparatory School and the Erie Business College. He had been in the Real Estate Business for over forty years as a Broker/Owner of a residential and commercial real estate sales company, and a real estate management company. He also was instrumental in a number of real estate developments throughout the Erie area, both individually and in partnership with others, Jim served a number of years on the Greater Erie Board of Realtors including a term as President in 1976 and was chosen as realtor of the year in 1978.

Jim and his wife Joan were recognized by the Erie Community in 1978 for their extraordinary efforts in directing life saving measures thus averting a possible tragedy at Mid City Towers P.A. Meyers fire. They successfully evacuated 132 senior residents of that building.

During the past forty years, Jim has been extremely active in both civic and charitable organizations. He has served on the Advisory Board of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Northwest PA., Discovery Square, St. Mary’s Home, Greater Erie Chamber of Commerce, Board of Advisors of Gannon University, Board of Fellows of Mercyhurst College, Board of Corporators of Hamot Medical Center and St, Vincent Health Systems, and as Chairman of the Erie County Library Task Force. He was one of the founding Board members of the House of Healing.

For a number of years, he was a major supporter of the MS Societies Walk, opening up his business for a pre-walk gathering and providing a post-walk luncheon for participants. His efforts raised many thousands of dollars for the fight against MS and he was recognized by the MS Society with an award for his efforts on their behalf. He created a hospice house in Erie known as the Joshua House in memory of his wife

As a member of the Erie County Library Task Force, Jim personally raised the 1.5 million dollars needed to complete the Raymond Blasco Memorial Library. He was the chairman of the Erie County Library Foundation, which through the generosity of Jim’s good friend, Dr. Raymond Blasco, provided funding for the Raymond Blasco Memorial Library and the Millcreek Library, the Lawrence Park Library, Edinboro and Fairview branches.

While working with the Erie Art Museum and Discovery Square, Jim was instrumental in starting the annual Blues & Jazz Festival in Frontier Park as a major fundraiser for the museum. The Blues & Jazz Festival is still an annual tradition.

In 2006 Jim received the Edward Doll Award. (Volunteer and Philanthropy). Jim also was Knighted by the Bishop of Erie as a Knight of St. Patrick for his contributions to the community in the name of Jesus Christ.

In 1997, Jim sold Spiegel Realty, Inc. which at the time was Erie’s largest real estate sales firm with nearly 100 agents to Howard Hanna Real Estate Services. At that time, he set up a trust that allowed him to contribute the proceeds from the sale to many charitable causes that he supported.

Jim was quite active in his former parish, St. Andrew serving both as a member of the Pastoral Council and Eucharistic Minister. Jim was a former member of Our lady of Mercy Church in Harborcreek. Through it all though, his largest focus was on his family and being very active in the Catholic Church. Jim was the recipient of the Saint Mary’s Home of Erie Medaille D’OR Award in 2009 at Saint Mary’s 125th Anniversary Celebration.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife; Joan (Seiderman) Spiegel, one daughter; Carol Ann Zuhusky and his sister; Mary Ann Spiegel.

Survivors include one daughter; Suzanne M. Spiegel Helfert and her husband Craig of Fairview, five grandchildren; Ryan James Helfert, Faith Marie Helfert, Alex Zuhusky , and his wife Sarah and their son Otto, Ben Zuhusky, and his wife Kira, and Joseph Zuhusky and his wife Alina; his son in law James Zuhusky of South Hampton, NY.; and his sister, Kathleen Spiegel of Erie

Friends are invited to call at the Brugger Funeral Homes & Crematory, 1595 West 38th St. at Greengarden Blvd. on Friday from 2 to 4 pm and 7 to 9 pm and to attend services there Saturday at 10 am followed by the Funeral Mass at 11 am. At St. Andrew Church. Interment will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to St. Anthony School Endowment, 901 NE 2nd St. Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. 33301 or James Spiegel Charitable Trust, C/O Erie Community Foundation, 459 West 6th St. Erie, Pa. 16507.