ANGELO A. LUCCHESI

ANGELO A. LUCCHESI, 92, ANGELO A. LUCCHESI, 92, of Memphis, went to heaven on December 6, 2013. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 54 years, Cecilia Marie Pieroni. He was a son of Italian immigrants, one of 13 children born to Mary Bisio and Anthony ""Tony"" Lucchesi. He attended Christian Brothers High School, and graduated from St. Bernard in Cullman, Alabama, where he was elected president of his class. He enjoyed a long and successful career in the liquor industry, beginning with his employment by the Motlow family as the first salesman of the now legendary Jack Daniel's brand. His personal friendship with entertainer Frank Sinatra, who enjoyed Jack Daniel's, helped move the brand from a position of relative obscurity to one of the top selling American whiskey's in the world. Until the time of his death he worked for the Brown-Forman Company as a marketing and public relations consultant, traveling extensively to promote Jack Daniel's and introduce the whiskey into new markets around the world. His 60 years with Jack Daniel's brought him into contact with people in business, entertainment, sports, government and politics. All were drawn to him by the power of his love and concern for others, his decency and values, his wonderful sense of humor and boundless generosity. His love and care for others was formed by his faith in God which compelled him to help others. He was involved in many civic endeavors and charitable organizations including serving as president of the Berclair Lions Club, a member of the Board of Directors of the Mid-South Fair and Coliseum, Chairman of the Mid-South Bar-B-Q Contest, a member of the Board of Directors of the Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau, Board of Directors of Saint Peter Villa, President of the Memphis Chapter of the Italian-American Service Organization, UNICO, Officer of the Knights of Columns, The Serra Club, Board of Directors of Ave Maria Home for Senior Care and many others. Through these organizations and through private efforts with others he helped establish the Annual Italian Winter Fest, raising many thousands of dollars to fund scholarships for students in need, make donations to help the poor and homeless, the sick and elderly, including Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital, Ave Maria Home for Senior Care and the Catholic Education Scholarship Fund. He received many honors and tributes in recognition of his tireless efforts on behalf of his company and those in need, including the Jack Daniel's Distillery naming the theater in its visitors center in Lynchburg, Tennessee, The Angelo Lucchesi Theater and, for his 90th birthday, Brown-Forman honored him with a 90 Proof Limited-Edition bottle of Jack Daniel's with the story of his 60 year career with the company. The distillery declared him a ""Lynchburg Legend"", 3rd only to Jack Daniel and Mr. Daniel's nephew, Lem Motlow. He received the UNICO Outstanding Italian American Citizen Award and the Joseph P. Cianci Humanitarian Award from UNICO National, The Outstanding Community Member Award at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church Italian Festival in 1994, The St. Peter The Rock Award from St. Peter Villa, The Memphis Martyrs Award and an Angel of the Diocese Award from the Catholic Diocese of Memphis, he was inducted into the Christian Brothers Hall of Fame in 1999, he was on the Board of Directors of the Memphis Autozone Liberty Bowl and in 2010 was honored with the Harry E. Zinn Spirit of 1776 Award, in 2011 The Tennessee General Assembly passed a Joint Resolutions honoring him for his dedication to excellence and thanking him for his Meritorious Service to the people of the State of Tennessee. His greatest legacy is the unconditional love and support he gave to his family and friends with a lifetime of memories and laughter and the deep and unreserved reverence and devotion Angelo gave to God and His Holy Church. He is survived by three daughters, Angela Capocaccia (Richard), Tish Montesi (Judge Louis), Denise Lucchesi; a son, Anthony Lucchesi (Jennie); two brothers, Louis and Mike Lucchesi; six grandchildren, Jason Richardson, Karen Campochiaro (Jonathan), Katie Cannon (Dewayne); Catherine Montesi, Louis J. Montesi, III, Joseph Angelo Montesi; five great-grandchildren, Olivia, Sam, and Cecilia Cannon; Mia and Zoe Campochiaro, and a host of nephews and nieces, other relatives and friends. The family wishes to express its deep appreciation and respect to Dr. Eugene Spiotta, Sr., for a lifetime of care and to Dr. Bob Kelley and all those who gave Angelo such loving and compassionate care during his time with them at Ave Maria Home and Baptist East Hospital Restorative Care Unit. The family is deeply grateful for the many acts of kindness and support shown to Angelo over the many years of his employment with Brown-Forman. The family will receive friends from 4-7 p.m. followed by a Rosary at 7 p.m., Friday, December 13 at St. Louis Catholic Church in the Clunan Center. A funeral mass will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, December 14 at St. Louis Catholic Church. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Louis Catholic Church, designated for the Youth Ministry Building Fund, Saint Jude Tribute Program - Tribute #34724983, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, 38148, or Christian Brothers High School. Memorial Park Funeral Home, "Behind the stone wall", 901-767-8930. Condolences may be offered at www.MemorialParkOnline.com