Joe Pagliuca - A Life Well Lived

On Sunday, January 15, 2012, we lost a dear friend, mentor and fellow Oakdale Square Alliance member. Sadly, Joe Pagliuca passed away after a brief illness. One of Joe’s dear friends, John Lyons, said it best, “ His passing leaves a void for everyone in Dedham.” While we may no longer have Joe’s bright spirit, mischievous smile, and charming stories, we still have his words of wisdom and life lessons that made us better people for knowing this glorious man. Thanks to the following Oakdale Square Alliance members for sharing their favorite lessons from Joe: Martha and Paul Zeolla, Stephanie Radner, and Paul Reynolds.

• A handshake really means something. 

This simple gesture of two people sealing their word with a handshake and making good on that commitment is considered by many today as an old-fashioned ritual. Today, this gesture wouldn’t be “enough” for people. But, in Joe’s day, a handshake really meant something - trust, dependability, faith and commitment. Time and time again, when we’d discuss business at our Oakdale Square Alliance meetings, Joe would ground us with this thought.

• A neighbor is someone you really get to know and care for.

Joe lived in Dedham nearly all of his life, and was truly engaged in his community. When driving down any street in his hometown, he’d have a story about every house and the family that lived in those homes. The relationship Joe had with his longtime neighbors, Martha and Paul Zeolla was simply beautiful. One rainy night, after the Oakdale Square Alliance celebrated Joe’s 96th birthday, Joe and I waited at the door of the Endicott Estate while Martha and Paul got the car to pick him up. He talked about how blessed he was to have such wonderful neighbors who watched over him as if he was family. He truly appreciated the gift Martha and Paul gave him - access to and a connection with the community. These are the relationships we are meant to have as human beings. 

• Enjoy the simple virtues of life.

When Joe reflected back on the good old days, it was the simple things in life he seemed to relish the most. His memories were grounded in the everyday happenings of life. Many times he would reminisce about growing up in Dedham, and recall how the neighborhood kids only needed an empty lot and a basket with the bottom cut out to fashion a game of basketball to occupy their time. Or, he would recall the local boys who would come around to the neighborhood to sell fruit to his mother. No fast food, no television, no fancy electronics. Kids respected their elders, and neighborhood children played together the entire day, running around the fields and farm lands. Joe lived simply and modestly, and was grateful for all he had. These characteristics gravitated people to Joe, and were at the heart of what made him so charming.

Good night moon, good night Joe - sweet dreams and rest in peace. When we wake each day, we will think of you often and carry on your wonderful, beautiful spirit to make our community a great place to live.