Joseph Scala

With heavy hearts we announce that Joseph Carl Scala, 66, died on December 24th, 2023 at home surrounded by his loving family.
Joe was happily married for 42 years. He met his wife Carol while working in a shoe store; she accidentally spilled the contents of a vacuum on him, and he happily accepted her apologetic offer to grab a cup of coffee. Joe and Carol were married in October of 1981. They moved to Pompton Lakes and later settled in Pequannock, NJ where they raised their two children, Joseph John and Jacqueline Marie.
Joe was the firstborn child of Joseph Scala and Helen Darder Scala. He grew up in Paterson and Totowa, NJ, and spent his summers at the Totowa pool where he developed a lifelong love of all things water-related. He went to Stevens Institute of Technology where he obtained a bachelor's degree, and subsequently a master's degree, in chemical engineering. He traveled the world during his early career, including lengthy stays in Japan and Korea. He later taught himself to code in several programming languages and became a software engineer.
Joe was a devoted husband and father who loved spending time with his family and friends. Always cracking a joke, he was known for his sense of humor, as well as his intelligence and down-to-Earth attitude. Joe loved to travel, relax on a beach, and listen to music. He was passionate about the New York Giants and Mets, BBQ, classic rock, and Dunkin' Donuts coffee. Joe was a member of the St. Mary's community for over 40 years and had a strong faith.
He is survived by his beloved wife Carol, his son Joe (husband to Kathleen Fenn), his daughter Jackie (wife to David Dulaney), mother Helen, sister Francine Caniglia, sister Karen Mays, brother Kenneth Scala, and his 13 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Joe.
Visiting hours will be held from 2-4 and from 7-9 on Wednesday, December 27th at Scanlan's Funeral Home in Pompton Plains. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10am on Thursday, December 28th at St. Mary's RC Church in Pompton Lakes. Burial will follow at Maryrest Cemetery in Mahwah.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance in his honor.