James Joseph "Jimmy" Scalleat

1950 - 2023

James "Jimmy" Joseph Scalleat, 73, of Sugarloaf Twp., passed away Tuesday following a brave battle with ALS.

Jimmy was born Sept. 24, 1950, to Samuel and Bernadine (Sweeney) Scalleat, in Hazleton. Jimmy was the youngest of four children and it was clear to his older siblings from the start that Jimmy was the favorite of their mother. They lovingly referred to him as the "little prince."

Jimmy graduated from Hazleton High School in 1968 and received his Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Jimmy was a member of Kappa Delta Rho fraternity. He continued to enjoy the brotherhood and friendship of his fraternity brothers throughout his life.

Jimmy's entrepreneurial spirit led him to pursue numerous endeavors over the years.

After graduating college, Jimmy worked in the music business, promoting concerts for bands that included Earth, Wind & Fire, Fleetwood Mac, Alice Cooper, ZZ Topp, Electric Light Orchestra and Bruce Springsteen.

Jimmy then embarked on a 30-plus-year career in the restaurant industry as co-owner/operator of Close Quarters, the Ovalon and the Powerhouse Eatery. He came out of retirement later in life to manage the Pines Eatery in Hazleton. Jimmy was an excellent chef and was well known for his delicious Stromboli. He also loved working the front of the house where he enjoyed greeting and socializing with his restaurant patrons.

Over the years, Jimmy often travelled abroad. He engaged in real estate development and had numerous properties throughout the U.S., Australia and Belize.

In 1994, Sammy J. was born and immediately became his dad's pride and joy.

Jimmy met the great love of his life, Lori, in 2003, and she became his best friend and life partner. They spent the next 20 years together raising their children, traveling, laughing, dancing, enjoying life and making beautiful memories. In 2022, they married in a private ceremony at their home with their sons, Sammy and Johnathan.

Jimmy was highly active all his life. As an avid skier, he enjoyed spending time on the slopes. He also loved traveling, sailing, cooking, reading, the Steelers, cars and listening to classic rock music. Most of all, Jimmy enjoyed taking care of his family, home and property and the company of his many good friends. You could often find Jimmy sipping a glass of red wine on his deck, listening to his favorite tunes and cooking dinner on the grill.

Jimmy will most be remembered for his infectious smile, vibrant personality, kind generous spirit, big heart and selfless nature. Jimmy was full of life and lived every moment with passion and enthusiasm. If you were a friend of Jimmy's, you were a friend for life.

Jimmy was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his devoted and loving wife, Lori; sons, Samuel J. Scalleat, Baltimore, Md.; and Johnathan P. Schmidt, Melbourne, Fla.; brother, Samuel (Janine) Scalleat; sister, Sheila Scalleat (Frank Tuchi); brother, John (Katie) Scalleat; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Joseph B. Conahan Funeral Home, Hazleton. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday at Most Precious Blood Church, Hazleton. Internment will be private.

The family is incredibly grateful to all those who helped in ways big and small to make life with ALS a little easier for Jimmy and his family. There are too many to name. ALS affects about 31,000 people in the US. Currently, there is no cure for ALS. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Jimmy's name to the ALS Association of Philadelphia, Team Gleason or the Healthwell Foundation, all organizations that supported Jimmy during his illness.