Tom "Vance" Vaccarello

From the desk of……………David Frank



9/13/2014/


Dear Family and Friends:

I just wanted to take a moment to offer my sincere condolences on the passing of our dear friend, Tommy Vance.

Below are my views of Tommy:

1) The Tommy Vance I knew had great courage. He was never afraid to speak out against the status quo and conventional wisdom……..

2) The Tommy Vance I knew had amazing wisdom. He always knew his subject matter - - and could always defend it…..

3) The Tommy Vance I knew had conviction. He always felt strong about his ideas, no matter what anyone else thought.

4) The Tommy Vance I knew had clarity. His message was typically simple, concise and easily understood…..

5) And the Tommy Vance I knew had credibility. He dang sure knew how to walk the walk and talk the talk.

No one had more compromising integrity than Tommy. He always thought with discipline and honesty. He could sort through flattery, through politics and could always see things as they truly were.

He was a most remarkable man. I always viewed Tommy as incredibly competent, very caring and amazingly confident.

I mean, Tommy had done it all.

He produced and hosted the No. 2 dance show in the nation---Jive at Five. In 1968 he became the first National Football League Players Association public relations director; he represented celebrities such as Alex Karras and his wife Susan Clark, Hall of Famer Dick Butkus, Bubba Smith, Dan Pastorini and writer George Plimpton

And Tommy was inducted in the Gulf Coast Sports Hall of Fame in 2011.

My thoughts and prayers are with the Family.

There are so many memories. So many happy memories. Tommy was always always a good friend. You can't think about him without smiling. He made each of us a better person. God speed Tommy, you will be greatly missed.

Jo and Family,
You know how much Tom meant to me after my dad passed away. He was a beautiful person, advisor, comedian and most of all a good friend. We love you Jo and will be praying for you and your family.

Dear Tommy,

My very first job after college was with Vance Mathews. I was ten at the time. Thank you for the opportunity. Thank you for the life-long friends I made there. Thank you for the stories. Thank you for being the FUN. I am so glad we had just had our special visit with you. Love to Miss Jo and Andrea.

Chris

I just heard the news. Tommy was a very talented and funny man. The days of Vance Matthews Advertising leap to mind as they 'ran this town' and had all the top clients. I was a lowly typesetter and worked will a swell group of people. I am sorry to see you go, I will miss you Tommy.