Obituaries

Peter Charles Vacca, 62

July 10, 2014

Peter Charles Vacca, 62, of Lancaster, went home to Heaven on Thursday, July 10, 2014, after a long, hard, and courageous struggle with cancer. He sadly leaves his loving wife, Karen; 2 daughters, Charlotte and Sarah, both at home; and a sister June Asci, of Middletown, CT.

Peter was an incredible human being, loved life, and spending time with his family. He will be dearly missed by many friends and all the patients he took care of while working as a registered nurse in the emergency department at the Heart of Lancaster. Peter valiantly served in the Army from 1967-1970 as a gunner in the jungles of Vietnam.

He had a heart of gold, and was the kindest person you could ever meet. He was so loved and will be dearly missed by his family. Many thanks to Compassionate Care of Lancaster and Heart of Lancaster Hospital for extraordinary care and love during the past 8 months. We were all so blessed and privileged to call Peter our friend.
A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, July 15, 2014 at 7:00 PM, at the Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home and Crematory, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA 17543, with Chaplain Betty Fundalewicz officiating. Friends will be received for a time of visitation one hour prior to the service.

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Condolences to the Family

January 27, 2015

Karen, I know this is so late, but I am so sorry for your loss….I had no idea he passed… My heart bleeds for you… my prayers are with you even now. Peter was the nicest nurse to me since coming to the heart. He was very kind and helpful.. I will never forget him..   May God give you comfort. 
Irene Martin

July 17, 2014

Dear Karen, Charlotte, and Sarah,
      Peter was a very cherished part of the Heart family to me. I could always count on a good laugh and wit, particularly when the ER was crazy and I was alone in radiology having a break down!  He is loved by so many and I will miss him dearly. Please know prayers and support are with you at this sad timel. I was out of the country at the time of the service, so I am sorry to have missed it. Much love, Marty Wedge-Blake

July 15, 2014

Dear Karen, Charlotte, and Sarah,
Working in the ER with Peter was never dull—whiney at times, but generally fun, as hiis stories about his “hippie days” and adventures with his friend Peter from Florida kept us entertained. He loved you all more than anything, and was incredibly proud of Charlotte and Sarah.  He has a special place in the memory of all of us who knew him.
Trudie

July 15, 2014

To Karen, Sarah and Charlotte: I am thinking of you and grieving with you. I loved him and will miss him.
To Peter: You were a great coworker, a better friend and most of all like a brother to me. I love you and will miss you very much.  May GOD bless you and keep you.
Brian Corrie

July 14, 2014

It has been 50 plus years sence I saw your Husban/Father, Karen, Charlotte & Sarah.
I moved west – he south and we did not cross pathes again.
My first memorie of Pete was he had some how bitten a electric courd and burnt his mouth – baddly and we thouth it was funny. BUT we soon saw it was not – it was very painfull and took a long time to get over. ( Suffered to drink or eat – and he had to but it was a battle to get him too) He was 5-6 years younger then brother Gene and me – and was always trying to keep up and do. But could not so houng out with my sisters & Juney.
Gone to soon – You are in Our thoughts & Prayers, Bill & Mary, Iowa

July 14, 2014

Karen, Charlotte and Sarah: So sorry for your loss of an amazing husband and father.  May God comfort you all during this difficult time.
Love to you all.  Mary Pat Frick

July 14, 2014

I am so very sorry for your loss of such a delightful and loyal husband and father.  Thank God he is at peace.  I hope you ladies can take his strength to help yourselves get through the pain of Peter’s absence.  We will help you in any way we can.
Nancy and Patrick Swift

July 14, 2014

So very sorry Karen, Charlotte, Sarah. May you find comfort knowing he is now at peace and pain free. 
 

July 14, 2014

We are so sad to hear of Peter’s passing, and your tremendous loss.  Getting to know your family has been one of our greatest pleasures.  May the LORD grant you peace and comfort at this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the girls at this time.
Love
Carol and Chuck

July 14, 2014

Peter will be greatly missed! I was able to visit him one time while he was off. I will miss hearing Peter’s happy voice when calling HOL, and miss seeing his smiling face every time we come visit. RIP Peter, god speed my friend!
Ken Barton Jr, NREMT

July 13, 2014

Karen, So very sorry to hear that Peter passed away. He was such a great guy and he will be missed by so many. I will always remember the great times we had in the ER.  Sending you prayers for peace and comfort during this time.  
With sincere thoughts and sadness,
Diane Wolfe

July 13, 2014

I am very sad to hear of Peters passing. I worked with him at the Heart of Lancaster and he was truly a wonderful man. I will miss him. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Diane Niemkiewicz

July 13, 2014

I’m so sorry! I loved working with him – always made my day when I saw him, or when I had to go to the ER to help out! Such a caring and compassionate soul who made everyone around him feel loved! 
My condolences, 
Andrea Dougherty-Mull
(Women’s Place)

July 13, 2014

Now you can rest, Peter. You were always sympathetic to your patients, the nurses that worked with you and took report from you. You always had a smile and kind word even when the work was overwhelming. For Karen and the girls, know that Peter is reaping the kindness that he showed on earth. My condolences go out to you at this time of saying “Goodbye”.
Margaret Kakas, RN

July 13, 2014

Peter took care of my mom in the er before she was admitted to the hospital with terminal cancer. She just flirted with him the whole time…he was so good to her. She died 6 weeks later. We will never forget the compassion and laughter he brought to my mom….. My condolences to his family……….

July 13, 2014

Hi Karen,
Thinking of you and the girls. I hope you find some comfort knowing he is no longer dealing with his illness. You supported him through these past few months with such passion. So glad you met and enjoyed the years that you all had together. 
Love, Tish

July 13, 2014

I worked with Peter in the Emergency Department at the former Community Hospital of Lancaster, and later at Heart of Lancaster.  Many stressful shifts were made much better due to Peter’s delightful sense of humor.  He was a wonderful colleague who I am sure will be dearly missed by his fellow nurses.
My deepest condolences to Peter’s family, and to his co-workers at Heart.
 
Teresa (Terri) Brown
 
 

July 13, 2014

Worked with Peter at the hospital and he was an extraordinary man So kind and comforting to everyone He will be missed Thoughts and prayers to his family Sincerely, Lyndell Kreider

July 13, 2014

It was a great honor to get to know Peter when transporting patients into HOL. I had no idea he was sick. He was always kind and always smiling. He will be dearly missed by many of us in EMS. 
Praying for your family during this time of need. 
Eva N Camacho-Burrs

July 13, 2014

I had the opportunity to work with Peter at Heart of Lancaster. He was a kind ,caring,and friendly co worker. Never heard a bad thing said about him. Always upbeat .What a great loss, he will be terribly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Helen Fink

Visitation
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory
3110 Lititz Pike
Lititz, PA 17543
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Services
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
7:00 PM
Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory
3110 Lititz Pike
Lititz, PA 17543
Map and Directions

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