OBITUARY
Thomas James Vasta
June 4, 1951 - May 6, 2026
Thomas J. Vasta, “Tom,” died peacefully on May 6, 2026, at Christian Health Care Center in Lynden, Washington, at the age of 74 after a 40-year battle with multiple sclerosis.
A native of East Brunswick, New Jersey, Tom was a longtime resident of Vermont where he worked for the state as a database administrator. In 2000, he and wife, Donna, bought a 7-acre rural property just north of the capital, Montpelier, where they spent the next 15 years renovating and landscaping their dream home with painstaking attention to detail. There was nothing Tom loved more than stacking wood, building fires, tooling around on his ATV, mowing the 2-acre lawn and manicuring the pond and tree line with his little 14” chainsaw. During this time, he was also chief ear-scratcher to our beautiful family of cats who never failed to bring a smile to his face. Always fascinated by the Pacific Northwest and seeking a kinder climate in retirement, they made the move to Point Roberts, Washington, in 2015, where they rented a beautiful beach-front home close to the marina for several years.
The move was perfect as Tom loved the water. He was an avid sailor, first taking up the sport in 1987. He chartered and captained multiple sailboat cruises in Florida, the Virgin Islands and Bermuda throughout the 1990s, but his passion remained his own beloved 28’ Pearson, Tom Foolery, which he moored on Lake Champlain in Malletts Bay, Vermont. As the name implies, there were many good times onboard with family and friends including “Gilligan” and the Tuesday night crew over the next decade and a half.
Tom was a true history buff who was fascinated by naval history and the Civil War period in particular, reading extensively in his earlier years, then watching endless documentaries and films on these and other topics. He loved chess — often playing both sides himself, no doubt ensuring the win — cribbage, photography, jigsaw puzzles, old movies, Yankees baseball, Italian food, cheesecake and chocolate ice cream.
Through it all, Tom never let his illness define his life. He accepted whatever came his way with grace and fortitude. He lived in the present moment, never complaining, never wishing for a different life and remaining happy wherever he was and at whatever he was doing.
Tom is survived by his wife and partner of 35 years Donna Prudhomme, daughter Perry Vasta, sister Sally Kasulanis, brother Rick Vasta (Kim), eight nieces and nephews and their partners, and nine great-nieces and great-nephews in Canada, New Jersey and Virginia. He is pre-deceased by his mother Dolly Robinson Vasta, father Joe Vasta and brother Steven Vasta.
Tom lived a simple, rich and full life with no regrets. He will be sadly missed by family and friends, but remembered always.
Special thanks to the exceptional nurses and aides at Christian Health Care Center for the kindness, support and outstanding care they provided during Tom’s final seven weeks, and to Isobel Brophy and Kristy Steinberger of Point Roberts for their compassion and ongoing in-home care during our time on Cliff Road.
