Thomas Patrick Vano

89, passed away of natural causes on October 21st at his home in Cameron Park CA. Born Gaetano Pasquali Vano on January 7, 1926 and raised in Astoria, Long Island City, Tom was drafted into the army in 1944 and was a highly decorated WWII veteran. After surviving chaos, he followed his passion for photography and moved to San Francisco and soon married Nancy Helmka in 1949 where he started his photographic legacy and family. Having worked until he was 85, when he retired, his archive of images was so impressive that almost one million images were purchased by the California State Library and are archived in the Tom Vano collection. He was a member of the SF Olympic Club and SF Italian cultural club Il Cenacolo. Tom is survived by his loving wife of 66 years Nancy Vano, daughters Deborah Laremore (Joe), Valerie Barbitta (Don) and Lori Sheehy (Paul), son Tommy Vano (Laura), 7 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren and brother Michael Vano (Joanne). He was predeceased by his daughter Sandra Vano and sister Christine Macioce. Tom lived a rare life and his legacy of love, compassion and commitment will be passed on by everyone he touched. A memorial mass will be held on Monday December 7, 2015 at 11am at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 1650 Ygnacio Valley Blvd, Walnut Creek CA. A Celebration of Life reception will follow. Private interment will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, Tom requested that donations be made to the California State Library Foundation, 1225 8th St, Suite 345, Sacramento CA 95814. At the bottom of the check please indicate “in memory of Tom Vano.” For more information, contact Gary Kurutz at Gary.Kurutz@library.ca.gov.