Louis N. Vacca - Obituary

ouis Vacca of Annapolis and previously of Severna Park, MD, passed away on December 9, 2018 at the age of 101. Born on May 31, 1917 in Newark, New Jersey to the late Giuseppe and Maria Vacca, ‘Lou’ earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn and a Masters of Business Administration degree from Syracuse University. Lou served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, achieving the rank of major. He was stationed in England where he received the Bronze Star for work with the British involving engineering improvements to warplane artillery. After the war, he pursued a lengthy career as an electrical engineer with IBM working primarily at its defense facility in Owego, New York near the family’s home in Vestal. He retired in 1981, relocating to Maryland. Lou had a passion for opera, swimming, bowling and sailing in the Finger Lakes and Chesapeake Bay. He also enjoyed traveling and was an avid reader and cyclist, biking many miles into his 80s. Lou was preceded in death by his loving wife of 75 years, Catherine Vacca who died in 2016 at the age of 98. He is survived by his daughter, Marie (Jeffrey) Halka of Annapolis and his granddaughter, Julianna (Erik) Dawson of New York, NY. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart Center Fund of the University of Maryland Medical System Foundation or the Annapolis Opera Company. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Please take a moment to sign the family's guest book by clicking on the link on this page.