ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - The co-founder and president of The Pasta House Co. Kim Tucci has died of cancer. He was 78.
KMOX host Michael Kelley confirmed the news Monday morning.
Some have already taken to social media to thank the born-and-raised St. Louis-native for his charitable efforts and dedication to the area. He was known for pouring money into the region and raising money to help fight disease.
Saddened by the loss of the incredible Kim Tucci. I loved him, sat next to him whenever I could just to soak in his passion for our city. (And pasta.) No one will be like him, ever. Rest In Peace, Hawk. I'll miss you, friend.
— Tom Ackerman (@Ackerman1120) March 25, 2019Very sad about the news about Kim Tucci's passing--truly a St. Louis legend and treasure. He was a friend and fellow movie buff! I'll be airing part of my @KMOX Profile on Kim at 3.05p this afternoon.
— Mark Reardon (@MarkReardonKMOX) March 25, 2019I'm going to miss Kim Tucci. He was always kind, thoughtful and listened...even when he didn't have to. So many St. Louis charities can do more good work because he drove up a price or sold two of an item at an auction. St. Louis lost a treasure today. RIP Kim.
— Kevin Gunn (@kevindgunn) March 25, 2019St. Louis lost a friend and champion today. J Kim Tucci, a grand fella and a huge supporter of mine. I will never forget teeing it up at Ballybunion and travelling the Emerald Isle with the HAWK!Plus he made a mean cheese garlic bread. RIP KIM! pic.twitter.com/wDRVLZ02ac
— Jay Randolph Jr. (@STLGOLFGEEK) March 25, 2019No one cared more about St. Louis.RIP Kim Tucci.
— Mike Bush (@mikebushksdk) March 25, 2019Tucci was a high school teacher and athletics coach for six years, and a college instructor for seven years.
Pasta House, founded in 1974, is one of the largest private companies in the St. Louis region.
Tucci co-founded the Caring & Sharing Program in 1985, which helps needy families year-round and feeds more than 5,000 St. Louisans every Christmas.
He was chairman emeritus of Heat Up St. Louis, and past president of The Missouri Athletic Club and The Saint Louis Ambassadors. Tucci also served as St. Louis Airport Commissioner, St. Louis Board of Elections Commissioner, and Regional Taxi Cab Commissioner, and was chairman of the St. Louis International Film Festival (Cinema St. Louis).
In 2018, he was honored by the Missouri Athletic Club as the Philanthropist of the Year.
Tucci was inducted into the St. Louis University Hall of Fame in l989, and St. Louis Soccer Hall of Fame in 2010. He also served as Trustee at SLU.
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