Joseph Vaccarella age 79, unexpectedly due to COVID. At age five, his father, Vittorio Vaccarella, passed away leading to Joe’s immigration from Sicily to the USA as a nine-year old child, temporarily leaving his mother Calogera Calabrese and sister Rosina Vaccarella behind. On a mission for a better life, Catholic Charities escorted Joe to the US to live with his temporary guardian Aunt Damiana (Vivian) and Uncle Giuseppe DiGangi, also residing with newlyweds Louis and Dorothy DiGangi. Due to immigration quotas his mother and sister could not follow as planned and Joe remained in the care of the DiGangi family for life, including Sam and Anita. Joe’s new American family expanded to brother and sister-like relationships with Carol Warren (Mike), Charles DiGangi(Margie), Diane DiGangi (Dominick Fashoda)., Uncle figure to Lisa DiGangi (Scott Ketelboeter), Rob (Erin) DiGangi and Charlotte, Erin (Jack) Pereira, Christine (Matt Welch) DiGangi, GreatUncle to Raymond Ketelboeter and Luke and cherished cousin to Donna and Joe (Renee), Isabella and Ashley DiGangi, . Joe reunited with his mother and sister for the first time in Italy at age 21. His Italy family remain there with closest surviving nieces and nephew Giuseppina, Antonella, and Vittorio, and many relatives, nieces & nephews. Joe was a devout Catholic, dedicated teacher at Central Elementary School in Wilmette, Religious Education and Spanish teacher at St. Joseph the Worker in Wheeling and St. Alphonsus in Prospect Heights, and ESL teacher at Harper College. Joe’s friendships are expansive, love for God and his family remarkable. Visitation Saturday, January 22, 2022, 10:00 a.m. until time of Mass of Christian Burial 11:00 a.m. at St. Alphonsus Ligurori Catholic Church, 411 N. Wheeling, Prospect Heights. Interment private. Please omit flowers. Memorial’s may be made in Joe’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave. Floor 17 Chicago, IL 60601. Arrangements handled by Gibbons Funeral Home, Elmhurst. 630-832-0018 or www.gibbonsfuneralhome.com
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