Courtesy UMD
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Northern Minnesota lost two major regional philanthropists with the passing of Jeno and Lois Paulucci within four days of each other. They had been married 64 years. Lois, 89, died Sunday, November 20, 2011, and Jeno, 93, died Thanksgiving morning, November 24.
Jeno, an outspoken, successful entrepreneur who started dozens of companies, and Lois were generous donors to causes and projects in northern Minnesota and Florida, where they also maintained a home. Lois particularly championed and contributed via the Jeno and Lois Paulucci Family Foundation to the Lois M. Paulucci Pavilion in Bayfront Festival Park, and the Trepanier Hall (named for her parents), a residence for women in the Duluth YMCA. Jeno helped to bring the civic center, airport terminal and skyway system there and spent millions to bring jobs to the region. Among his best known start-ups were Chun King, Jeno’s Pizza Rolls and Michelina’s Inc.