Vincenzo "Jimmy" Vacca
February 18, 1930 - May 31, 2020
Obituary
Vincenzo “Jimmy” Vacca died on May 31, 2020 at his home in Tukwila, WA. He was 90 years old.
Jimmy was born on February 18, 1930 in Seattle WA, in the Rainier Valley neighborhood; the youngest of three children born to Raffaele and Luisa Vacca. At a young age, he moved to Calore, in southern Italy where he was raised. After the end of WWII, he returned to Seattle via Ellis Island in New York, at which time, he had to reacclimate to life in America.
As a young man, Jimmy sold produce at Pike Place Market, after learning to farm from his father and other Italian relatives that lived nearby. He made many close friends at the Market and spoke fondly of his time there. Jimmy worked at Associated Grocers, a local produce distributor, for 35 years, where he delivered produce to local grocery stores and worked in the warehouse. After years of truck driving, Jimmy had an amazing sense of direction. He could find any address, knew all the streets, and never got lost. After retirement, Jimmy focused full time on his passion of gardening, together with his wife of 48 years, Gerardina Vacca. He and his wife worked long hours in their large vegetable garden where he always planted way more than they needed, often selling produce to vendors at the Pike Place Market and direct to local grocery stores. He also spent time winemaking and tending to his grapevines. Gardening brought him pride and contentment over the years.
Jimmy was hard working and cared deeply for his family. He expressed his love through his actions and not his words. He will be remembered fondly by family and friends who will miss him dearly.
He is survived by his wife Gerardina, his three children, Jeanette Vars, Sue Hudson and Luisa Gass, his five grandchildren, Sarah Evans, Brent Vars, Amy Mordecai, Olivia Gass and Alexander Gass as well as his two great grandchildren Dawson and Reagan Evans. He is also survived by his sister Prudence Fantello and aunt Italia Ciampa. He is preceded in death by his parents, and his brother Crescenzo Vacca.
Jimmy will be laid to rest in the Chapel of Memories Mausoleum at Bonney Watson Washington Memorial Park, SeaTac WA on June 11, 2020. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, a Memorial service will be held at St. James Cathedral, Seattle, WA at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org) or to any charitable organization of your choice.
Maria A Washienko
Bill and Gretchen Ribertson