27Nov2011

Jeno Paulucci, 93, died on Thanksgiving day in Duluth, Minn., four days after the death of his wife of 64 years, Lois. He was a member of the Frozen Food Hall of Fame and a lifelong legend in the industry.
Born into poverty to Italian immigrants, Paulucci started his own business at 22, growing bean sprouts. Four years later, the fledgling company became known as Chun King, selling canned chow mein nationwide.
In 1966 he sold Chun King to the RJ Reynolds Company for $63 million, and two years later he founded Jeno’s, which became known for frozen pizzas and pizza rolls.
Paulucci sold Jeno’s to Pillsbury in 1985 for $135 million, and began developing real estate in Florida.
Later, he founded Luigino’s Inc., (Paulucci’s first name was Luigino), selling frozen dinners under the Michelina’s label (the first name of Paulucci’s mother.) The company also sold Yu Sing Asian noodle bowls.
In 2004, at age 86, he turned over the day-to-day management of the business to his employees.
Private family services for Jeno and Lois Paulucci will be held Monday through the Dougherty Funeral Home in Duluth. Memorial donations may be made to the Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank in Duluth.