Sept. 11, 2009 James P. Veglia, 54, of Hazleton, passed away Friday in Hazleton General Hospital.

Born in Manhattan, N.Y., he was the son of Rosemary Marone Veglia, Hazleton, and the late Anthony Veglia Sr.

He was a teacher in the Hazleton Area School District and a professional musician for more than 30 years, and most recently performed with the Mudflaps. He was a founding member of the Milton Hershey Alumni Association. He loved fishing with his friends and family and also loved gardening. He was a devoted husband, father and son.

Surviving, in addition to his mother, are his wife of 29 years, the former Lorna Heltebridle; daughter, Laura Veglia, at home; brothers, Dr. Anthony Veglia and his wife, Dr. Kathleen, Sugarloaf; and Brian and his wife, Judy, Tamaqua; sister, Raffael Billet and her husband, David, Pardeesville; and several nieces and a nephew.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. in Our Lady of Grace Church, Hazleton. Burial will be at the convenience of the family.

The family will receive friends Tuesday, 6 to 9 p.m., at Joseph A. Moran Funeral Home, 229 W. 12th St., Hazleton.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the James P. Veglia Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o The Hazleton School Employees Credit Union, 1049 Wilbur Court, Hazleton, PA 18202.