Arthur was born April 18, 1922, in Chelsea, a suburb of Boston, and was the youngest son of Josephine and Frank Vaccaro, former residents of Sanford.
As an executive working in the shoe manufacturing industry during its heyday in the United States, Arthur previously worked for many companies, including Genesco, Weiss and Lawrence, Acme Boot, Melville (Thom McAn) and El Greco, where he worked for Charlie Cole, Kenneth Cole’s father.
He completed his professional career at Nike, where he worked with some of the original founders of the company building their U.S. manufacturing presence, and traveled extensively for them internationally, helping set up their overseas production facilities.
During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps at Selman Field in Monroe, Louisiana, as an engineer.
For his entire life, he had a deep love of music, and was an accomplished pianist who was awarded a scholarship to Julliard. Arthur was well known in local musical circles, where he appeared in numerous musical programs and was featured on the radio.
He also performed for the Armed Services in various events, and even played at a pre-show when Bob Hope entertained the troops. His love of music extended to ballroom dancing; he was a big fan of the Big Band era.
He most recently lived in North Chelmsford, a suburb of Lowell, Massachusetts, and enjoyed his vacation cottage on Square Pond, where he spent every summer.
Arthur was married for 61 years to the late Marie S. Normand Vaccaro of Sanford. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Edward Vaccaro of Malden, Massachusetts.
He is survived by: two daughters, Pamela Jane of New Jersey and Linda Marie of Lowell, Massachusetts; a son, Stephen Joseph and his wife Eva of New York; grandchildren Sean Joseph Barry and his wife Cassandra of Singapore and Dubai, Kevin Lee Barry of New Jersey, and Kristin Marie Vaccaro, Stephen Joseph Jr. Vaccaro, Stephanie Laura Hom Vaccaro and Lukas James Vaccaro, all of New York; a brother-in-law, Eugene Normand; and many nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours will 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 4, at Lafrance-Lambert & Black Funeral Home, 29 Winter St., Sanford. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 5, at St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish, Holy Family Church, 66 North Ave., Sanford.
Burial with military honors will follow at St. Ignatius Cemetery. A full luncheon dinner will follow the services.
Condolences may be expressed at blackfuneralhomes.com.
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