Vacha's Florist Owner Loved His Art

A man whose artistry touched the hearts of thousands died last week.

Frank Vacha, 74, owner of Vacha’s Forest Flowers in Oak Forest passed away March 17 at Palos Community Hospital due to congestive heart failure.

He loved his business—and never backed down from fulfilling a unique order, said his wife of 51 years Patricia Vacha.

“He had a natural talent for putting things together and making things that were different. It was always a challenge when someone would call,” she told Daily Southtown.

“A cowboy boot, a motorcycle ... Frank really enjoyed challenges like that.”

Vacha was born and raised in the Chicago area, later moving in 1977 to Oak Lawn with Patricia and their children Gary, Tom, and Don.

Vacha’s Florist has its roots on the Southwest Side of Chicago, where Vacha’s great-grandfather Joseph opened the first store opened at 47th Street and Western Avenue in 1887. Joseph and his son Joseph started the business just years after emigrating to the U.S. in 1880.

Frank took the reins of the store from his father in 1984; his father died in 1988. Frank and Patricia then opened a location at 6260 W. 159th St. in 2000.

The couple later closed the Chicago location, as age and diabetes caught up with him. The couple celebrated their 51st anniversary on Jan. 19.

“You know, the tears come and the tears go,” Patricia told Daily Southtown. “I know this is a part of life. We’re only here for a short time, then we have to move on to some place better.”

Services have passed. In honor of Vacha, the family encourages donations to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.