Story by Mike Gaffney of the Saugus Advertiser:

“J. Pace & Son has donated $20,000 to the Saugus Family YMCA in memory of Joe Pace.

On June 27, Cara Pace handed Saugus Family YMCA representatives a $20,000 check that was raised through a golf tournament held in memory of her father Joe, who died in December 2017.

“My dad loved giving back to the community,” Cara said. “It made him very happy.”

Jen Conway, the executive director for the Saugus Family YMCA, said she thought it was the largest donation the Saugus branch received during her time with the organization.

“When I found out I almost fell off my chair,” Conway said. “We want to thank J. Pace & Son and Rosaria Restaurant for their generosity.”

Per the Pace family’s wishes, the money will go toward youth scholarships and programs designed for cancer survivors and homeless campers, Conway said.

Camp Sachem students created a banner and preschool students wrote handmade cards to show their appreciation to J. Pace & Son.

Cara was clearly moved by the gesture from the students.

“Those are awesome signs, I love them,” Cara said. “I think it’s going to make me cry.”

An icon in the local food industry, Joe expanded the family business to operate three grocery stores in Massachusetts, including the Saugus location at 190 Main St.

June 14 marked the first annual golf tournament held in Pace’s honor. Tournament organizer Janine Lovuolo said the intent is to make the tournament an annual fundraiser to benefit the community.”