When my father passed, I can only imagine the confusion and chaos that was happening as he arrived at those pearly gates.
It was all the people who had passed before him, trying to rush and greet him.
I am sure they all have missed him, just as we will all miss him
now.
As I read the hundreds of comments that were written about my father,
It hits me for the first time, how much he was a part of so many lives, and not just mine
Since I had the backstage pass, I now can see it through other eyes from where they were in the audience of my father’s life.
I never realized that I was sharing him, and that was because he had so much to give.
The shoe store, for me, was just a way of life, helping rip up boxes, bringing things up or down to the basement, blowing up balloons, and ringing the
bell!
But… It was so much more.
My father was the fabric of many childhood memories
He was a Community Icon, a staple of many, with his welcoming smile and endless patience.
He was a part of an era that now has passed.
My father was not just his business but contributed his time and leadership to numerous organizations.
To me it was just who my father was. Out there getting involved making a difference.
I couldn't be prouder to call him my dad.
My favorite memories, are the times he stepped away from all of that
And this is what “I” knew about my father. . .
How he provided for his family.
How he treated my mother like a queen.
How he supported his children with everything that they did.
How much he loved his grandchildren and great grandchildren, so much
There were the Summers upstate.
Swimming in the lake, horseback riding on the farm. Blueberry picking, hikes, and canoe rides.
In the colder months we would go sledding, walk across the ice-covered lake and jump off the deck into the mounds and mounds of snow.
I remember hot air balloon rides, helicopter rides, and flying out west and circling over the Grand Canyon.
Just to name a few
And there were my personal memories with him, like helping him with the yard work or cleaning out the garage, going for walks after dinner with our dog and lag-a-dee-ing
And my very favorite memory of just him and I . . . was when we went white water rafting.
My father always found time for everyone. Especially for all his nephews and nieces who were a big part of our lives growing up. It was like having 35 plus brothers and sisters!
Every Sunday he would bring a numerous number of donuts for everyone to have after church, as we would all play in my grandmother's yard.
May the memories, we all have of him, help us move forward as a way to live our own lives
Because he was a great man.
It indeed, was a wonderful life
Thank you mom for taking such good care of him, not only at the end, but always.
And I'll leave you with this . . .
On my father's last day of life, we were all together. My mom, his three children and some of his grandchildren.
And he said to us . . .
"Did you eat? Order whatever you want and have it delivered. On me!"
And that is my Dad, to the very end-
I love you, and I will miss you
T-H-I-N ___
Ladislao Donato Vaccaro
September 30th, 1938 – April 23rd, 2026
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