Jeno Paulucci passes away (Michelina's Inc., Jeno's Pizza Rolls, Chun King)

[The Straight Story]

Jeno Paulucci, the son of Italian immigrants who rose from humble Iron Range beginnings to earn the title "No. 1 overall entrepreneur in the world" and whose sharing of his self-made millions left an indelible mark on Duluth and northeastern Minnesota, died Thursday morning at his Duluth home.

Paulucci, 93, died just four days after his wife, Lois, 89, to whom he had been married for 64 years, also passed away at their home. His death was confirmed late Thursday by Dougherty Funeral Home in Duluth.

"Jeno was everything to Duluth and the Iron Range, known all over the country, even the world, for his success in business," Gary Doty, who was Duluth's mayor from 1992 to 2004, said late Thursday. "He created thousands and thousands of jobs here through the years."

Doty, who had been scheduled to deliver the eulogy for Lois Paulucci at her funeral, originally planned for Monday, said Paulucci's death was "especially devastating coming on the heels of Lois' passing."

Paulucci launched dozens of companies over his frenetic career, but is best known for founding the Chun King line of canned Chinese food products in the late 1940s, which he sold in 1966 for $63 million. Others included Jeno's Pizza Rolls, a brand sold to Pillsbury Corp. for $135 million, Luigino's frozen dinners and Michelina's Inc. -- named for his mother.

http://www.startribune.com/business/134477388.html

[lbrtbell]

1. That's very sad.

I'm thinking his grief had a lot to do with his death, being that he died so soon after his wife. :cry:

[Scruffy1]

2. He was a very good man.

When the company was based in Minnesota he encouraged unionization. He never lived in the lifestyle of today's executives. When he had to leave Duluth he provided money for retraining and other benefits to those who lost their jobs. Even some capitalists don't give up all their humanity.

[BiggJawn]

3. So long, Jeno...

That was some tasty seasoning in those rolls!

[Tom Ripley]

4. Rest In Peace and thanks for all the babysitter food