STANDISH - Benjamin Joseph Vacchiano, age 80, passed away in Scarborough on September 9, 2021 after a battle with lung cancer. Ben was born in Portland, Maine, on March 21, 1941, to the late Augie and Mary (Gaynor) Vacchiano. After graduating from Portland High School in 1959, Ben had a long career in the family tradition of meat cutting. In 1963 he married his high school sweetheart, Linda (Duncanson) and they were together for 58 years. They raised two sons, Steve and Tim. In 1976, he and Linda made the decision to start their own business and successfully ran Four Season’s Variety in Sebago for many years. After they turned the business over to their oldest son, Steve, they transitioned to a long retirement with much of their time spent in the Florida sunshine. Ben was a member of the Maine Army National Guard where he served as part of a tank team. He continued to serve his community as a proud member of the Sebago Lion’s Club for many years. He especially enjoyed his time in the outdoors and was an avid fisherman and spotty “hunter”. He really loved his time at Moosehead Lake with a special affinity for the last days of the fishing season combined with the start of bird hunting.
He is predeceased by his parents, Augie and Mary, his sister, Janet Rauseo, brother, Joseph, and daughter-in-law, Lori. He is survived by his wife Linda of Standish; his sons - Steve Vacchiano of Sebago and Tim and wife Amy Vacchiano of Cornish; six grandchildren - Mike and wife Michelle, Tony and wife Miranda, Nick, Julia and husband Vernon, Riley, and Caleb; and five great grandchildren - Tanner, Dakota, Sophia, Dominic, and Walker. At Ben’s request, the family gathered soon after his passing to celebrate his life and enjoy time together. Our family would like to give thanks to the wonderful caregivers at Maine Medical Center and the Gosnell House. Your compassion and caring during Ben’s final days did not go unnoticed and was greatly appreciated.
Online condolence messages can be submitted at the Poitras, Neal & York Funeral Home website, www.mainefuneral.com
Arrangements have been entrusted to Poitras, Neal & York Funeral Home, Cornish, www.mainefuneral.com