James A. Guerra

James A. Guerra, 58, of Belle Vernon, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, April 14, 2009 in Mon Valley Hospital. A son of the late Joseph V. and Helen Skira Guerra, he was born in N. Charleroi on February 10, 1951. He was a member of St. Sebastian R.C. Church, the Mon Valley Leathernecks, the Roscoe American Legion Post 801, had served in the National Guard Reserves and served in the Marines from 1973 - 1975 as a 1st lieutenant. He earned a Bachelors degree in education from California University of PA, a Bachelors degree in criminology from Indiana University of PA, a Masters degree in special education, also from California University and had his principal's certification. Jim had been the plant manager for the ABEX Corp. in Hollsopple. He was the owner and operator of the former Jam 'N Skate in N. Belle Vernon. He was a manager during the initial start up of the rail mill at the Monessen Plant of Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel Company. He was also the plant manager of the A. Stucki Company of McKees Rocks. A substitute teacher throughout the Mon Valley, he worked with the homebound students in the Belle Vernon School District and was a Behavioral Specialist. A loving husband and father, he is survived by his wife Patricia Popelas Guerra, with whom he would have celebrated 35 years of marriage on April 27th, 2009, one daughter, Alicia Guerra, at home, two sons and one daughter-in-law, Jamie and Nana Guerra of Annandale, VA and Brett Guerra, at home, three brothers and two sisters-in-law, Joseph Guerra Jr., Thomas and Deborah Guerra and Louis and Sharon Guerra, all of Long Branch, one sister, Michele Guerra of California, PA, his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Edwin and Mary Moluski Popelas of Roscoe and many nieces and nephews. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 P.M. Thursday in the Ferguson Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 724-929-5300, 700 Broad Avenue, Belle Vernon. www.FergusonFuneralHomeAndCrematory.com A blessing will be in the Funeral Home on Friday at 12:30 PM followed by a funeral mass at 1 P.M. in St. Sebastian R.C. Church with Rev. Lawrence Manchas as celebrant. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. The rosary will be prayed in the funeral home on Thursday at 3 P.M. led by members of St. Sebastian Parish.

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James A. Guerra

February 10, 1951 - April 14, 2009