Joseph Palis

Joseph W. Palis, DDS., 91 of Cedar Grove died peacefully on September 24th, 2014 at Sunrise Assisted Living at West Essex in Fairfield. Born in Newark in 1923, Dr. Palis lived in Bloomfield before moving to Cedar Grove in 1995. He was a dentist for over 40 years in Bloomfield until his retirement in 1993. He graduated from Bloomfield High School in 1941 and attended Seton Hall University before entering WWII. After his service in the air force he attended Temple University dental school. A first lieutenant in the Army Air Corps Dr. Palis was a distinguished B-24 pilot who flew 50 missions in Europe. He was a member of the 456th Bomber Group and the 745th Squadron. Joseph was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with four oak clusters, and three bronze stars. Dr. Palis was an avid golfer and member of the Glen Ridge Country Club for over 55 years. During his golf career he was credited with three holes-in-one. Joseph was the beloved husband of Mary Grace Uttinger. He is survived by his sister, Lucille Finamore of Nashville, TN; daughters Jody and husband Scott Toth of Tarrytown, NY, Susan and husband Bruce Roddy of West Orange, NJ, Jean and husband Kevin Spatz of Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ, Kathy and husband Robert Aussenhiemer of North Caldwell, NJ and son Joseph Palis of Cedar Grove, N.J. nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Visitation will be on Sunday, September 28th from 2:00 - 6:00 pm at Frank Halpin's Brookdale Funeral Home, 1284 Broad Street, Bloomfield. Family and friends are asked to go directly to church for the Funeral Mass on Monday, September 29th at 9:00 a.m. at Our Lady of the Holy Angels Church, 473 Main St., Little Falls. The interment will follow the service at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 225 Ridgedale Ave, East Hanover. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Grace Hospice, 105 Fieldcrest Avenue, Suite 402, Edison, N.J. 08837 (www.gracehcs.com) For directions and condolence messages go to www.halpinfh.com