Tribute to Joseph T. Vaccaro

Tribute to Joseph T. Vaccaro WA3YAO, W3JTV
May 7, 1946 - June 14, 2020

Joseph T. Vaccaro, 74, a lifelong resident of Hermitage, passed away unexpectedly of natural causes Sunday, June 14, 2020, at his home.
Mr. Vaccaro was born May 7, 1946, in Sharon, a son of Joseph V. and Laura (Pacifico) Vacarro. He was a 1964 graduate of Hickory High School, Hermitage, and also attended Youngstown State University.
Joe was employed by the City of Hermitage, and worked in Community Development Department until his retirement in 2010.
With a strong dedication to serving the public, Joe was a lifelong member of the Hermitage Volunteer Fire Dept., and had also served as the Emergency Management Coordinator for the City of Hermitage since 2016. Earlier in life, he had served as an emergency medical technician (EMT) for the former Watson Ambulance Company, Sharon.

Joe enjoyed communicating with friends via Ham radio, which he operated out of his home.

Joe was an early member of MCARC (Mercer County Amateur Radio Club) back in the mid 70's. Joe was a long time director of MCARC and was very active in the club. He was always helping others to enjoy this hobby. Joe was active as a Hermitage Volunteer Fire Fighter. Joe was one of my closest friends and I will miss him dearly. Please say a prayer for our friend Joe. K3LR

Joe was a friend of mine. He was a very nice person and always had a smile. He helped do work on my 80' tower many years ago. Joe would join us for Sunday breakfast at The Globe Restaurant in Hubbard, OH many times. I've known Joe for a long time and he will be missed. K8CX

I am saddened to hear of Joe's passing. He was always front and center at every MCARC activity I attended, and was a strong supporter of ARRL activities and events. He would always make it a point to take a few moments to chat with me at every amateur radio activity in our WPA Section, and was quick with an encouraging word. Joe had a positive outlook on all things amateur radio, and was an inspiration to us all. He will be missed greatly. My most sincere condolences to his family and his many, many friends. W3BC

Back in the day, when we used to climb towers in a haphazard manner, the rule of thumb was to always know the whereabouts of 'YAO before going up. We were invincible back then, but we instinctively knew that something bad could happen. We also knew, however, that if the call went out, YAO could be counted on to show up in a flash and get us down. Yes, Joe was Superman! Not only did he know how to save somebody's butt when disaster struck, but he also never said no to anyone who needed him. I'll see you at the Clark House, Joe. I know you'll be waiting for us there. Rest easy my dear friend. 73,
W3YQ

I was very saddened to hear today about Joe’s passing. I was away with my son in Florida and just returned. I have known Joe for almost 50 years. I can never remember him not smiling or in a unpleasant mood. We use to chat regularly when I had service work for Gold Cross (Rural Metro) ambulance. Joe's passion for the hobby and his friends was unending. He will be greatly missed. My condolences to all at the Mercer club and those who were considered to be his friends. He was one of the GOOD guys. 73’s old friend, WB8HYO

Just a note to let you know how much members to this great hobby on the Ohio side of the line will miss Joe. He was always ready to help and had a passion for not only for Amateur Radio, but for the people he touched along the way. Rest good buddy and 73 Art WA8VSJ

I had the chance to meet up with Joe probably 8 to 10 times over the last few years at large antenna projects at K3LR. We had a few long conversations watching towers and antennas on cranes. I always enjoyed talking with him. The conversations were great fun. He came across as one of those stable and reliable and practical friends who can easily span your entire life. I’m very sad he’s gone, and I barely knew him. W8WWV

I’ll miss our Sunday Morning breakfasts. He had a terrific sense of humor and was a great guy. KG8GO

I was saddened to hear about Joe's recent passing. He always seemed to rise to the task of getting things accomplished through out the years that I knew him and when I was the president he would do anything for anyone and not expect anything in return. It is a tribute to him that W3LIF is now known as W3JTV. 73, Tom K3TG

Dayton 2005

W3JTV, W9ZRX (W9PA)

Dayton 2006

W3JTV, KL7WV (W3YQ)

K3LR, W3JTV, KL7WV (W3YQ)

Dayton 2012

W3JTV, W3RTY

D-STAR Meeting at The Lube in Sharon, PA., January 27, 2012

W3YQ, W3JTV

April 2013 ARES Drill

W3JTV, K3VLR

Joe and Roy W3RTY worked the Pittsburgh Marathon on May 5, 2013

Doing tower work at the Water tower and old W3LIF repeater shack.

W3YQ, W3JTV, W3RTY

W3JTV

At The Lube in Sharon, PA. Sept. 18, 2013

W3JTV, K8CX, NN1N, K3LA, K3LR

Dinner on September 26, 2013

W8JV, K3LR, W8CXO, W3JTV

Get together at Quaker Steak & Lube (QSL) in Sharon, PA., December 11, 2013

W3RTY, K8CX, K3LR, W8BBQ, K3LEA, K3LA, K9EID, W3JTV

Here is A youtube video of a RedCross training from 2013.
The Red Cross office in Sharpsville was out of range. Joe, W3JTV used an antenna mounted to the hitch on his Jeep establishing a relay to the Red Cross in Pittsburgh.

Field Day 2015 at K3LR

Joe on right wih black shirt.

Relaxing at field day in 2015

W3JTV

Here is a photo taken at the Pittsburgh Airport in 2015 at a air crash drill.The plane in the background is a simulated crash.

W3JTV

MCARC Christmas Party 2015

DX Engineer's 1st Hamfest August 10, 2019 in Tallmadge, OH.

W3JTV

2013 repeater shack photo, ARES Drill, PGH Marathon, All 2015 photos courtesy of KT3P
All other photos by K8CX