Pasquale Rudolph Vacca

Born December 31, 1931, the son of the late Milanino and Rose Vacca.

Pat served for four years in the US Marine Corps before entering Boston College, graduating in 1957, he earned a Master’s Degree from Northeastern in 1966. He worked at International Business Machines until early retirement, and as Adjunct Faculty at University of Texas Dallas and Merrimack College in North Andover.

Pat was an active longtime member of Holy Trinity Church; he taught Confirmation Preparation and served as a Lector and Eucharistic Minister. Pat and Katherine were also Adorer’s at the Adoration Chapel and members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society for many years. He was a passionate sailor, he loved sailing 37 ft. Shannon, with trips to Martha’s Vineyard and other destinations, including Sail Boston 2000. He was a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary where he taught Navigation. He was a member of the Boston College Veterans group. He had long-standing friendships with the Marine Corp, Boston College and IBM colleagues. In addition, he was an excellent carpenter and handyman, and tennis player.

Pat is survived by his devoted wife Katherine Hannon Vacca, his loving daughters, Maryellen Vacca, Jane V. Jarvis, Elizabeth V. Secrest, and Anne C. Vacca, his grandchildren Peter and Timothy Secrest, and MaryRose Kline and her husband Jonathan Alves, one great grandchild, John Steven. And by Katherine’s children Christopher Podgurski and Jane Podgurski Tessier, her husband William R. Tessier, and by her grandchildren Jessica Podgurski, Jake Podgurski and Olivia Podgurski, Caroline Tessier, Madelyn Tessier and Ryan Tessier. He is also survived by his brother William V. Vacca and his wife Patricia Shea Vacca; his sister, Dorothy Vacca Valera and her husband Charles Valera; as well as many nieces and nephews and dear friends. Besides his parents, he is predeceased by his former wife, Mary O’Shea Vacca.

His visitation will be on Tuesday, September 29th, in the Doane, Beal & Ames Funeral Home, 260 Route 28, West Harwich, MA from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass in Holy Trinity Church, 246 Route 28, West Harwich at 11 a.m.

If desired, donations may be made to the is Alzheimer’s Family Support Center of Cape Cod, or to St. Vincent DePaul Society at Holy Trinity.