Joseph Vaccaro, Sr.

Joseph V. Vaccaro, Sr., 88, of Bristol, passed away peacefully on May 7, 2024, at Silver Creek Rehab and Healthcare Center, surrounded by his loving family.

Joe was a lifelong resident of Bristol, a devout and attentive son born on September 8, 1935, to the late Pasquale and Catherine (Parella) Vaccaro. He graduated from Colt Memorial High School in 1955, where he was an all-around athlete and recognized as a standout football player, which earned him an induction into the Bristol Sports Hall of Fame in 1993. Joe enlisted with the United States Army Reserve in 1953, was a member of the 479th Chemical Battalion, and continued his service after high school. Joe made his early living fishing and quahogging on the waters he loved surrounding Bristol for several years before becoming a union-certified toolmaker. He retired from the Speidel Company after twenty-five years of service in 1998.

Joe was a true Bristolian who loved his hometown of Bristol and its 4th of July celebration. He felt fortunate to make his home in Bristol, where he raised his family with the love of his life and wife, Melissa, whom he married on February 7, 1959. Joe appreciated volunteering for his hometown as a member of the Ever-Ready Fire Company, a handyperson for the Columban Fathers’ annual bizarre, a coach for the town football league, as well as the Babe Ruth Baseball League, where Joe served as president of the Babe Ruth League for a period. Having been a Boy Scout in his youth, Joe enjoyed volunteering for his sons’ local Boy Scout troop, where he valued spending time with his two sons, Joe Jr. and Tom, and nephew Michael, along with the other Boy Scouts and troop leaders. Joe created many meaningful and lifelong friendships through his involvement in sports and volunteerism.

Our dad was a devoted husband, father, son, and friend. Although strong as an ox, he was a quiet man with a gentle, humble, and kind heart. Our dad did not measure his wealth by accomplishments or material possessions but rather by his relationships with family and friends whose well-being was most important to him. He appreciated the simple pleasures in life. Our dad mostly enjoyed sitting on his front porch at his home on Garfield Avenue, where he welcomed and entertained family and friends for many celebrations. Throughout his life, he toiled endlessly renovating the simple house into a loving home for his family—electric, plumbing, carpentry, he could do it all. He loved having this home filled with his children’s friends who honored him with the nickname Mr. V., and later with his grandchildren’s friends who adopted him as an honorary Grampy. He also loved camping with family and friends: among them were cousins Jean and Joe Terry and the Nolan/Larkin clan. In retirement, one of his favorite pastimes was attending his grandchildren’s athletic competitions, recitals, and plays. In his leisure, he enjoyed watching sports and Western movies while sitting in his favorite chair beside his wife, where he loved taking daily naps during retirement.

Above all else, Joe cherished spending time with his beloved late wife of 61 years, Melissa (Clabby) Vaccaro and six children: Melissa DuPont and her late husband Peter DuPont, Joseph Vaccaro Jr. (Lori), Thomas Vaccaro (Kelly), Jennifer O’Connell (Richard), Julia Jordan (Douglas), and Kathryn Oliver (Michael), who will forever remember him for his endless dad jokes and gentle, loving nature; sixteen grandchildren: Crystal, Michelle (Nick), Joseph III (Amanda), Brad (Emily), Joseph S., Holly, Scott (Shealyn), Victoria (David), Emily, Marissa, Sarah, Audrey, Luke, Abigail, Andrew, and Allison; and ten great-grandchildren: Anthony, Aidan, Brayden, Noah, Mia, Levi, Ian, Ashton, Audrey, and the late Scarlett Olivia. The grandchildren adored “Grampy” for his warm hugs, abundant love, sweet treats, and memorable family celebrations and vacations. Besides his children and grandchildren, he leaves behind his dear brother and sister-in-law Francis “Frank” and Carmela “Millie” Vaccaro, as well as many loved cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends, particularly his lifelong best friend, Edward Cunard.

Joe was predeceased by his brother and sister-in-law, Pasquale “Pat” and Kathleen Vaccaro.

Our dad lived a very fulfilling life—always with a warm heart, simple smile, and full belly; he especially loved Italian food, soda, and any sweet treat that came his way. He will be deeply missed by all who loved him and remembered for his devotion and kindness.

Joe was a communicant of St. Mary’s Church in Bristol.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Saturday, August 10, 10:30 AM at St. Mary's Church, 330 Wood Street. Burial will follow in North Burial Ground.

Memorial donations honoring Joe may be made to the Ever-Ready Engine Company, 201 Thames Street, Bristol, RI 02809, or East Bay Warriors Youth Football Program, 89 Chace Farm Road, Swansea, MA 02777. The family extends their sincere gratitude to the Silver Creek Rehab and Healthcare Center staff members for the compassionate care they provided for Joe.

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