Jose Angel Plaza

Jose Angel Plaza, “PaPa”, 86, passed away on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at his residence. Jose was born on January 27, 1938, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, to the late Concepcion Plaza and Heriberto Rogue. When he was a small child he moved with his family to the Bronx, NY. Jose excelled in sports. He participated in the 1955 Pan-American games in Mexico City. He represented Puerto Rico on the boxing team in the 67 kg weight division. He also pitched professional baseball on several Minor League Teams in the New York Pennsylvania League, Midwest League, Northern League, 2 League, and Register League. The teams included Clinton Pirates PITT, Grand Fork Chiefs PITT, Dubuque Packers PITT, 2 Teams and Erie Sailors. Jose played baseball with his two good friends, Humberto Sama and Pedro “Peter” Sierra.

He was an Erie resident for more than 60 years. He was employed at GE, A.O. Smith, Koppers and the Railroad which included Penn Central, Conrail, CSX and a few others. He retired from the Railroad after working over thirty years.

Jose enjoyed watching sports on TV. His favorite teams were the NY Giants and the Cleveland Guardians. He loved to watch Telenovelas on the Spanish Network. Jose also enjoyed fishing and cooking authentic Puerto Rican dishes, he referred to as “Good Food”. He also loved sharing stories about his childhood and family in Puerto Rico and New York.

In addition to his parents, he was proceeded in death by his wife, Carolyn Stafford-Plaza; an aunt, Catalina Plaza; an uncle, Quintin Plaza; a cousin, Hiram Plaza, all of New York; two sisters, Gladys Allen, of New York and Aurora Plaza Bermudez, of Puerto Rico; grandson, Alexander Ritchie, of Erie PA and step-daughter, Doreen Stafford.

He leaves behind to cherish him in memory, his former wife, Beverly; his children, Stephanie Plaza-Nyikuach (John), Michael Plaza, of Erie, Joseph Plaza “Jose” (Becky), of VA, Aurora Plaza, of Pittsburgh, Jeffery Plaza, of Erie and Nilda Plaza-Robinson (JD), of Texas; cousin, Socorro Ferrer (Strong), of New York; three nieces, Vicky Ana Reyes (Angel ), of FL, Nilda Reyes, of Texas and Brenda Bermudez- Droz; a nephew Manuel Bermudez, of Puerto Rico; fourteen grandchildren, Michael Jr., Shaquana, Anthony, Vera, Andy, Brandon, Jeffery Jr., Cristina, Isis, Horus, Jose, Marissa, Raina, Okoye and Jessica; seventeen great grandchildren, dearest friends and in-laws Adam "Sonny" and Diane Rowicki, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Special thanks to CVS Pharmacy on East 12th St.

Friends may call at the Burton Quinn Scott Cremation & Funeral Services Inc. Downtown, 602 W 10th St., on Saturday, May 4, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. until time of services at 12:00 p.m. 

Send condolences to www.BurtonQuinnScott.com