The man who liked to boast that "bad people never die!" was apparently not quite as bad as he thought he was. Joseph E Pala, 95, died on March 17th after a brief illness. He died as he lived, with a wisecrack on his lips and surrounded by the family to whom he'd devoted his life. Joe was always an optimist, confident that he could find a way to solve any problem. He just had to find the right angle. When he opened Pala's Cafe on Union St., he boosted the fledgling business by becoming the first local bar to feature a TV - a big deal in the late 1940's. After reading an article on reverse psychology, he came up with The World's Worst Pizza - the marketing slogan that would make Pala's famous. He parlayed that success into two new and bigger businesses: Pala Bros. Furniture and Pala Tile and Carpet. His mantra was hard work. With Angie, his beloved wife of 68 years, he raised seven children, instilling in each a love of education as the means to independence. He also taught us the value of street smarts by cheating at Monopoly and cards. He was never more pleased than when one of us figured out the scam. He loved pranking people, especially his wife. Late in life, they'd walk around the mall holding hands like a pair of teenagers. But, then he'd tell security "…my wife is a kleptomaniac. She probably boosted some jewelry….you better check her out." And they did! He lost Angie, the love of his life in 2015, his sons Joseph in 2005 and Ernest in 2019. He is survived by his daughters Marge Pala, Nina Pala and husband Jeffrey Tigani, Carol Ann Pala and husband Peter McLean, Mary Beth Pala and husband Scott Shearer; son Stephen Pala and wife Patti as well as more than a dozen grandchildren and great grandchildren. Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, call your Dad.