Obituary of Thomas Joseph Vaccarella

Thomas J Vaccarella “Tommy” was an Army veteran, a banker, a brother, a husband, a father, grandfather, an uncle, and a friend to everyone.  He was always quick with a dad joke, a helping hand or just a smile. 

He was born in Newark to the late Thomas and Rachel Vaccarella. Growing up in the Valley section of Orange and West Orange, he attended our Lady of the valley and West Orange High School.  High School is where he met the love of his life Susan.  They got married in 1975 and were just shy of their 50^th wedding anniversary.  Family always came first. He was always cooking family dinners for not only his family but also his friends, co-workers and friends of his children.  Many of legends go around town about his lasagna and meatballs.

He loved fishing, especially in Cabo, as well as hunting, building some sort of project, watching the NY Giants, and going to the shooting range. He was a life long member of the Knights of Columbus, a West Orange Special Police officer and a hunter education teacher for the state. 

He passed peacefully on March 10^th surrounded by his family.  Tommy is survived by his wife Susan nee Penza, his loving children Melissa, T.J. Melissa’s husband, Steve, T.J.’s wife Kristen and grandchildren Rachel and Jake. He was the dear brother to Vincent and his wife Michelle, uncle to Victoria and Andrew and great uncle to Teresa, Chase and Logan.

In lieu of flowers please donate to the Saint Jude’s hospital for children.  http://stjude.org/memorial

Memorial vistiation will be held on Friday March 14th from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at Danger Funeral Home of West Orange, 340 Main St. in West Orange.