James J Spera

RARITAN- James J Spera, 94, died on March 15, 2026 at home in Raritan, NJ. He was born on January 12, 1932 in Newark, NJ.

James owned a “Superette” in Elizabeth where he met a girl named Nellie. Shortly after meeting her, she moved to Piscataway, NJ and he was drafted into the US Army and was an MP assigned to be a guard in a federal prison in Lompoc, CA.

After serving in the US Army, he worked with for a wholesale florist with his father. While on his delivery route in Piscataway, he decided to look up Nellie Conrad. James married the love of his life, Nellie, on August 4 1956. In 1958 they moved to Piscataway, NJ. Together they raised their 4 children. He served in the US Army National Guard for 7 years.

He was a member of the Piscataway Jaycees, Piscataway Elks and the American Legion as well as a member and past president of the Dunellen Green Brook Rotary Club. He became a State Farm Independent Agent from where he retired. 

James was interested in government. He was elected to the Piscataway Township Council, ran for Middlesex County Freeholder and for NJ State Senate. He was appointed an agent for a NJ motor vehicle agency.

He enjoyed boating and being a member of the Raritan Bay Power Squadron where held the position of Commander. James is predeceased by his wife Nellie I Spera and parents Anna & Joseph Spera. He is survived by his loving children: James Conway-Spera and spouse Dr. Andrew Conway-Spera, Deborah Antonelli and spouse Luigi Antonelli, Joseph Spera and fiancée Patricia Marciano, Paul Spera and spouse Cathy Spera, his 7 cherished grandchildren: Krista (Donald) St Cyr, Joseph Spera, Jamie Spera, Matthew Spera, Liana (Christopher) Young, John Spera and Nolan Spera, his great grandchild Sophia St Cyr, his sister Virginia Giardina and his care taker Irina Makaridze.

Funeral services will be private. The family will have a Celebration of Life for Jim in the future.

Professional arrangements have been entrusted to Scarpa Las Rosas Funeral Home, 22 Craig Place North Plainfield, NJ 07060.