Nunzio Vacca

Nunzio Vacca, age 87, Haledon passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 9, 2025 while receiving the loving care of his family. He was born in Gela, Sicily, one of six children to Nunzio and Grazia Vacca.

On September 10, 1959, Nunzio married the love of his life, Angela Romano. Shortly thereafter, they immigrated to Canada, where he worked in a cedar mill for several years. They made their home in Vancouver from 1959 until 1966, and it was there that their first son, Maurice, was born.

In 1966, the family immigrated to the United States and settled in Paterson, New Jersey. They purchased their first home there in 1972 and welcomed two more sons, Carmine and John. In 1984, Nunzio and Angela moved to Haledon, where they have resided ever since.

After arriving in the United States, Nunzio learned the trade of a machinist and worked for several local textile manufacturing companies, including Union Carbide and Sun Bright Textiles in Passaic, where he was employed for nearly twenty years before retiring in 1996. Throughout his career, he was a proud member of the National Textile Workers Union. Known for his dedication and strong work ethic, Nunzio rarely took a sick day and never collected disability.

Nunzio and Angela cherished their frequent trips back to Sicily, where they spent treasured time with family. A passionate follower of Italian soccer, he was an avid supporter of the Fiorentina team from Florence. At home, Nunzio took great pride in maintaining his property, always having his front and back yards meticulously landscaped.  Nunzio was truly loved in his community and was always willing to help neighbors with car repairs, home projects, or anything else they might need.  Nunzio was also a talented cook, cherished by family and friends for his delicious chicken and veal cutlets, as well as his homemade cannoli.

Above all, Nunzio’s greatest joy was his family. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather whose life revolved around providing for his family and spending time with his loved ones.  

Nunzio and his wife Angela cherished an amazing sixty-six years of loving and loyal marriage together.  His Catholic faith was an important foundation in his life, and he remained deeply proud of his Italian heritage, often visiting local Italian coffee shops and attending annual neighborhood Italian feasts both in the United States and during his visits to Italy.

Nunzio will be remembered as a loving husband, father, brother, and grandfather, as well as a loyal friend to many. He had a wonderful sense of humor, was extremely social, and made friends wherever he went.  His warmth, generosity, and devotion will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Nunzio is survived by his wife Angela (nee Romano) of Haledon, his three sons; Maurice Vacca and his wife Danielle of Ocean, NJ, Carmine Vacca and his wife Connie of Wayne, NJ, and John Vacca and his wife Rosanna of Wayne, NJ, two brothers Vincenzo Vacca and his wife Gina of Gela, Sicily, and Francesco Vacca and his wife Anna of Totowa, NJ, one sister Concetta Melilli of Italy, and four grandchildren; Matthew Vacca and his wife Stefanie of Wayne, NJ, Antonio Vacca of Wayne, NJ, Emma Vacca of Wayne, NJ, and Johnny Vacca of Wayne, NJ.  Nunzio was predeceased by his brother Giovanni Vacca and his sister Rosaria Tascone.