Vincent Louis Bacchetta Jr.
The first child of pioneer mushroom grower and immigrant(s) Vincenzo and Mary DiFilippo Bacchetta (both from Civitella del Tronto, Abruzzo, Italy), Vince was the first of his family to be born in the U.S. An outstanding Kennett High School (Kennett Square, PA) student, athlete and senior class president, he was also the first of his family to graduate from college and postgraduate school, majoring in mathematics and physics. Vince was also an eight letter man at Washington College in baseball and soccer.
In 1952, Vince was the second mathematician hired by the DuPont Company. He thoroughly enjoyed his 42-year DuPont career as a mathematician/engineer, helping to maximize production efficiency around the world, developing many manufacturing process patents and making many lifelong friendships. Throughout his life Vince shared his love, enthusiasm and unmatched mathematical understanding of the game of baseball with anyone who was willing. A friend to everyone he met, he was also a tremendously positive and loving father figure to many hundreds of boys during his 35 years of managing and coaching baseball, including for the Southern Chester County Babe Ruth League (SCCL) in Pennsylvania. During most of those years he was also the League President and/or Treasurer, an umpire, and he prepared the league’s game schedules. He created the Instructional League for 13-year-olds in the SCCL, and his incredible 1982 state championship team came within one run and one game of the National Championship. Upon retirement, Vince moved to Lugoff, SC, where he took up golf, quickly developing a single digit handicap. He won countless seniors tournaments, including nine annual Super Senior Championships at Camden Country Club. He was proud of his streak of 67 consecutive rounds shooting his age or less, and he shot an 83 in his final round at age 90, despite years fighting a physically debilitating battle with cancer. Vince gave his time to many local charitable causes, including Kershaw Health located in Kershaw County, SC, where he donated over 11,000 hours installing life-line systems for seniors. He also ran hundreds of charitable golf tournaments in the area.
Vince was preceded in death by his wife Suzanne and three younger brothers, Augustine, Anthony and Edward of Kennett Square, PA. He is survived by his younger sister Antoinette (Bacchetta) DiEdwardo of New York. “Uncle Jimmy” was the beloved patriarch of the extended Bacchetta family, which includes ten nieces and nephews, many grand and great-grand nieces and nephews, as well as his own three children – Dr. Paula Bacchetta, James V. (& Michelle) Bacchetta and Dr. Matthew D. (& Dr. Jane) Bacchetta – and five grandchildren.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, a celebration of his life will be held at a later date. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, any donations be made directly to: Kershaw Health Home Care Attn: Teresa Fry, RN, Director 1165 Hwy 1 South #400 Lugoff, SC 29078 803-425-1182
