ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
Joe Pace, the owner of Rosaria Restaurant in Saugus, had a fundraiser on Nov. 6 for The Dana Farber Cancer Center that raised more than $100,000.
By MICHELE DURGIN
SAUGUS — Most people would agree that restaurants are considered to be among the most difficult businesses to succeed. The obstacles and challenges are both time and money-consuming and often prove to be too difficult to overcome. For Joe Pace, 69, owner of Rosaria, a popular and highly regarded eatery in Saugus, those challenges were overcome. And this restaurant, with its takeout bakery and deli, as well as three other restaurants in the Boston area, are testaments to Pace’s work ethic and belief in the value of surrounding himself with the right people.
Pace was recently diagnosed with lung cancer and he is taking on this challenge with the same positive attitude and support of the many loved ones in his life, also known as “the right people.” Instead of letting self pity and dark thoughts rule his day, Joe is choosing to spend his time in the light, focused on helping others who are facing the scourge of cancer.
“I have been so fortunate in my life,” said Pace. ” And I am grateful to the family and friends who have been with me for so many years. I am blessed to have them by my side as I face this illness. Right now I feel good and I’m fighting this enemy every day. I am being treated at The Dana Farber Cancer Center and everything about the center is wonderful. The doctors and staff don’t get any better. I was happy to sponsor a fundraiser to benefit the center. I am even happier to say that over $100,000 was raised and close to 450 people came to the event.”
The evening was called “A Night of Giving Back” and was held at Rosaria.Guests enjoyed music, hors d’oeuvres and a live auction of donated prizes that included gift certificates to area eateries, as well as sports items, game tickets and memorabilia. Former Bruin and Hockey Hall of Famer, Johnny Bucyk donated an autographed hockey shirt that brought in more than $500. And a Boston Celtics ball, signed by the team, was also a big hit on the auction block, raising another $500, according to Pace.
Pace, a native of Italy, came to the United States as a young boy in 1955. He calls himself a proud Italian immigrant and said he is grateful to his parents for bringing him here and displaying a solid work ethic for him to learn from. He became a U.S. citizen in 1962, but still has ties to his birthplace and visits when he can. In fact, he traveled to Sicily about three months ago.
“I hope I can get back there again. Right now I am focusing on my health and making sure all four of my restaurants are successful and well run. I have over 130 employees and it’s important to me that all of them are OK.”
And so, as Pace battles on against the heartless competitor known as cancer, he is keeping his head and his hopes up.
“I want to set a good example for my grandchildren,” he said. “It’s important that they know people are wonderful and we can meet and make great friends wherever we go. Each day is a gift. It’s so important to try to give back as much as possible and continue on with a full heart and a thankful spirit.”