Obituary: Domenic Francis Vaccaro Jr., 73, of Guilford

Obituary courtesy of Shoreline Cremation:

November 1st, 2023, Domenic Francis Vaccaro Jr, 73, of Guilford, CT, passed away peacefully with family by his side. Early that morning Domenic ended his long fight through a bout of sickness and was reunited with his mother (Caroline D’Ambrosio Vaccaro) and father (Domenic Francis Vaccaro Sr.).

Born December 8th, 1949 to Caroline and Domenic Vaccaro Sr., Domenic lived his adventurous young life in Hamden, CT with his two siblings Gaetano Thomas Vaccaro and Carol Ann Gaetano along with many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends nearby.

After graduating from Hamden High School, Domenic completed the two year program at the Connecticut School of Electronics. These studies would serve him well later in life.

Domenic took a special interest in cars at a very young age. One of his most cherished memories was building a T-Bucket Hot rod from just the motor. Dom’s love for hot rods and cars lead him to become a mechanic for over 15 years, surrounding himself with his passion.

Along with his love for cars Dom enjoyed riding up the coast on his Harley with his close friends. Before Domenic became a family man and retired his riding garb, he and some close friends founded the Shoreline Street Rods, putting on hot rod events in the area and raising money for local businesses. When describing his time in the Shoreline Street Rods Dom would say it felt like a life time ago but, as his close friends and family know, it left a lasting impact on his life, accompanied by a lot of crazy stories.

The technical skills he gained as a mechanic in combination with his exceptional intelligence brought him to his true career path as an owner and operator of Shoreline Computers. In 1983 Domenic and his wife Donna Marie (Ficorilli) Vaccaro founded Shoreline Computers, which they ran for over 30 years. Computers being a challenge that most were afraid to tackle at the time didn’t stop Dom’s technical mind, and curiosity for how things worked.

Some would say building and operating Shoreline Computers was a part of Domenic’s greatest accomplishments. He would tell you otherwise. Forever proud of his 3 children, Domenic would proclaim his true greatest accomplishments were his girls, Danielle Marie Vaccaro Russell, Deanna Marie Vaccaro, and Dana Marie Vaccaro. Domenic was also joyfully “Grampa” to his one grandchild Owen Russell.

Dom was a hard worker, strong willed, and stubborn at times, but he also had an enormous heart and was a strong conversationalist with a dry sense of humor. He was clever and full to the brim with knowledge gained through all of his life experiences and titles: Hot rod enthusiast, Biker, Mechanic, and Business owner.

Dom was predeceased by father Domenic F Vaccaro Sr., Mother Caroline D’Ambrosio, and sister Carol Ann Gaetano.

He is survived by wife Donna Marie Ficorilli Vaccaro, Brother Gaetano Thomas Vaccaro, and 3 children Danielle Marie Vaccaro Russell, Deanna Marie Vaccaro, and Dana Marie Vaccaro.

He is also survived by 12 nieces and nephews, 4 great nephews, and many of his cousins and aunts and uncles.

Dom's family will receive visitors at Shoreline Cremation 425 Main St East Haven, CT on Tuesday November 21, 2023 from 5:30PM-8:00PM. A short prayer service will be held at 745. Burial will be private and at the convenience of his family.