Somerset Man Honors Ma Raffa’s With Meaningful Tattoo

For many on the SouthCoast, Ma Raffa’s isn’t just a pizza spot — it’s a staple mom-and-pop business that most have experienced.

For some, it's birthday dinners, first dates, slices after games or pasta bowls after a long shift. For one Somerset man, that connection runs deeper than nostalgia. He’s taken that love and permanently etched it into his story with a tattoo honoring the iconic family-run restaurant that helped shape his life.

Joshua Pacheco's connection started the old-school way: flipping through the help-wanted ads in the Herald News. That first job quickly became more than a paycheck. It turned into a second family, a place where friendships formed, confidence grew and life direction began taking shape.

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From Paycheck to Life Lessons

From roughly 1996 through late 2007– with a brief return years later helping out part-time – Ma Raffa’s became a cornerstone in his journey. The job helped put him through college, financed his first new car and even contributed toward buying his first rental property.

Most importantly, what stuck most wasn’t the money. It was the people, mentorship and sense of belonging.

More Than Pizza — A Foundation for Life

He credits owner Nick Raffa with offering guidance that went far beyond the kitchen. Life lessons, work ethic, and perspective – things you don’t always find in a typical job – were all part of the experience. Pacheco said that to this day, if the call ever came to lend a hand again, he’d show up without hesitation.

READ MORE: Gazelle Gets a Tattoo to Honor His Roots and Never Forget Where He Came From

That emotional connection is exactly why the tattoo felt right. To some, a restaurant logo might seem unusual ink. To him, it represents growth, opportunity, and family values.

Turning Memories Into Ink

The tattoo itself was done by tattoo artist Jay Ski, owner of Fall River Tattoo Company and cost about $120 plus tip. It's a small price, Pacheco said, for something that symbolizes such a meaningful chapter. More than body art, it’s a reminder of where he started and how far he’s come.

Pacheco admitted that after he got the tattoo, he found himself craving some of Ma's famous pizza. I don't blame the guy, I'd be hankering for a slice every time I looked down and saw a pipping hot pizza on my arm, too.