Robert John Vanacore

Robert John Vanacore was born November 24, 1941 in Brooklyn, NY to the late Nicholas and Carolyn Vanacore.

His parents were employed in the Oil Industry, so in his younger years he was well traveled, having lived overseas in Venezuela. Upon returning stateside, his parents settled in Florida where he attended and graduated high school. He enlisted into the United States Air Force on November 1, 1960 where he was a Inventory Management Supervisor. His first duty station was at England AFB in Alexandria, LA, where he would meet his future bride. It was by sheer luck and Palma needing a ride that led them to wedded bliss, exchanging vows on July 21, 1962. During his enlistment he would again travel overseas, to the Philippines and Thailand.

He and Palma welcomed three children; Karen, Duane, and Lance; and towards the end of his twenty years of service, the family moved to Church Point, LA. His was dedicated to his family and his country, he would travel from Alexandria to Church Point often to see his family or meet them at Crooked Creek together enjoying camping adventures. He was honorably discharged as a Master Sergeant on December 31, 1980, returning for good to his family. Following his service, he began working for UPS in Lafayette as a delivery driver for twenty years, until his second retirement.

His later years brought him to the Lake Charles area to be closer to his children. He was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church and majority of his down time you’d find him spending time with his family or working on various carpentry projects in his shop and keeping the tune to some of his favorite country artists; George Jones or Tammy Wynette. He and Palma also volunteered with the Lake Charles Chapter of the American Red Cross for several years.

He was welcomed into Heaven on January 25, 2022 by: a grandson, Cory Venable; his parents; a brother, John Vanacore; a sister, Carol Melton.

Those left to cherish his memory; his wife of fifty-nine years, Palma Vanacore; his children, Karen Venable, Duane (Kathy) Vanacore, and Lance Vanacore; two grandchildren, Jesse Venable and Christopher Vanacore; numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will welcome friends on Thursday, February 3, 2022 at The Vineyard Church beginning at 4pm to 8pm. A Rosary to be prayed at 6pm. Visitation will resume Friday, February 4, 2022 at 9am until time of service. Funeral services led by Father Rojo will begin at 10am with burial to follow at Southwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Jennings, LA.