Richard Thomas Vacca

Richard (Dick) Thomas Vacca, 80, was born in Albion, New York and passed away August 24, 2022 after a brief illness.

He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Evelyn (Beau) Vacca. They lived in Hedgesville, West Virginia for almost two decades.

Richard was proud of his accomplishments as an Eagle Scout and his service as an altar boy at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Albion, NY. He graduated from Albion High School in 1960. Richard was the first in his family to attend college, and he graduated from Hamilton College in 1964. Shortly after graduation, he enlisted in Officer Candidate School in the Navy, serving in Naples, Italy on a destroyer as a Petty Cash Officer. This experience laid the groundwork for a career in financial products and services.

Richard utilized his head for numbers and his engaging nature as a salesman of insurance products and again during his second career selling antiques and collectibles. He became an expert in antique teddy bears, inkwells and fountain pens. Dick was known for his wit, charisma and storytelling.

He enjoyed traveling the East Coast and Midwest educating people about the evolution of writing instruments and the history of the pieces in his collection. He loved chatting with like-minded antiquers and lovers of his trade. When Dick was not tinkering at his work bench, he was assuredly working in his garden. He was a master gardener for decades, raising fruits and vegetables and things of beauty which adorned his home and property. His passion for gardening provided an excellent outlet for his engineering side as he created growing systems and structures. He was always reading and learning and trying to work smarter, not harder.

He leaves behind his children Lisa (Steve) Strausbaugh of Concord, Ohio, Deborah (Hugh) O’Brien also of Concord, Ohio, Mark (Heidi) Vacca of Canton, Michigan as well as his grandchildren, Callahan, Duncan, Taylor, Sara, Christian, Rachael, Jackson and Emma.

Richard was proud of his family members’ accomplishments and their pursuit of higher education.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Martha and Larry Vacca.

A private service will be scheduled at a later date at the St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Albion.