John L Vaccaro

John L. Vaccaro was a long-time resident of Auburndale and currently of Cambridge passed away on January 3, 2022. He is survived by his best friend and loving wife, Kathleen (Kathy) Cedrone Vaccaro, of 36 years. He was predeceased by his parents, Margaret (Grosso) and Orazio (Rex) Vaccaro, and his youngest brother, James Vaccaro. He is survived by his oldest brother, Joseph and his wife, Patricia of Marshfield formerly of Auburndale, his sister-in-law, Janice Vaccaro, of Mashpee, and his youngest sister, Phyllis and her husband, Lewis Jordan, of Amherst. He was the uncle to many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and several God children. He is the son-in-law of Daniel Cedrone of Cambridge, and predeceased his mother-in-law, Catherine Cedrone, and his sister-in-law, Marie Cedrone.

John was an Army Veteran, a Boston College Graduate, and a Certified Public Accountant. He worked for several Accounting Practices before starting his own Accounting Practice for 20 years. He took early retirement, and began a second career as a Professor in the Business Administration Department and taught Accounting, Personal Finance, Federal Income Tax courses, and the Volunteer Income Tax (VITA) program for about 14 years at Bunker Hill Community College.

He was recognized as one of Massachusetts Four Outstanding Young Men. For his teaching, he received the NISOD Award for outstanding teaching, The Trustees of Bunker Hill Community College Distinguished Service Award for outstanding leadership and service to the college, and other awards and recognitions. He was included in numerous “Who’s Who” including “The East”, “America”, and “Education”, and listed in “Outstanding Young Men in America”.

He was president of the Newton Jaycees, Corpus Christi Holy Name Society, and the Newton-Needham Chamber of Commerce. He was Commodore of the Pelagic Sailing Club, Lt. Commander of both Boston and Charles River Power Squadrons, treasurer of Newton Democratic City Committee, and the Newton Art Association, and others. 

John enjoyed sailing and taking beautiful photographs. When he retired from his second career, he took up watercolors, and some of his previous and new photographs became his paintings. 

In John’s work and other activities, he was able to touch the lives of many people and help them along the way. He was known for his kindness and his patience.

John’s family would like to thank all of the caregivers who provided professional care and support to him and his family during his illnesses, as well as, Good Shepherd Community Hospice, Privatus, and Sancta Maria Nursing Facility.

In lieu of flowers, if you prefer to make a contribution in John’s memory to one of the following: The Bunker Hill Community College Foundation, Inc., 250 New Rutherford Avenue, Boston, MA 02129-2929; Good Shepherd Community Hospice, 160 Wells Avenue, Newton, MA 02459; or Sancta Maria Nursing Facility, 799 Concord Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138.

Due to the COVID 19 precautions, John’s funeral will be private.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John L Vaccaro, please visit our floral store.