Charles P. Vacca passed away on the 14th of June, 2021 at the age of 93. Chuck was born at the old St. John’s Hospital in Oxnard on January 6, 1928 and was a descendant of a long time farming family in Ventura County. He raised a wide variety of crops over the years, including citrus, avocados, strawberries and vegetables. For many years, he owned and operated the California State tomato inspection station in Ventura County.
Chuck attended a one room elementary school in Springville, completing the 8th grade with only one other student in his class. He graduated from Oxnard High School in 1945 and attended Ventura College. Chuck was a Korean War veteran, serving in the California National Guard, 40th Division. He was stationed in Japan and Korea for fourteen months and was discharged from the service in July, 1952.
Chuck was proud of his family heritage. During the 1849 Gold Rush, his German Grandfather Johannes Christian Borchard and family traveled by Prairie Schooner from Iowa to California on a long, perilous journey. After years of seeking gold with no luck, the family traveled South in 1867, crossed the Santa Clara River and settled in the Colonia area. County Historians credit Borchard with cultivating the first grains on the Oxnard plain and he is recognized as one of the “First Farmers of the Oxnard Plain.“
Chuck and his wife Fern were married for 67 years. They met in 1952 when Fern was working at Albert’s Jewelers in downtown Ventura and Chuck bought a wedding gift for his brother. They dated for a year and were married exactly one year later at the Community Presbyterian Church in Ventura on July 26, 1953. They have lived in their Montalvo home for 59 years.
Community service was important to Chuck. He was an active member of the Y’s Men’s club, serving as an officer and supporting community groups through Christmas tree sales and pancake breakfasts. Chuck served on the Montalvo Municipal Improvement District/Montalvo Community Service District as the longest serving officer and director for forty years. He was active in his children’s youth groups-Y-Indian Guides, Boy Scouts and the 4-H Youth program.
Square dancing with the Roadrunners and Romping Stomper clubs was a special interest of Chuck’s and he liked playing Bridge with friends. Chuck and Fern enjoyed entertaining and hosted many parties at their home.
Chuck was preceded in death by his parents, Pete and Theresa Vacca , brother Henry and sister Anna Noble. He is survived by his wife Fern, son Steven, daughter Lynn and brother Raymond Vacca
A celebration of life will be planned at a later date.