Enzo Luce

Enzo Luce, 74, of Knoxville, TN, hung up his fishing pole and cast off into the Great Big Bayou in the Sky on July 18, 2025, surrounded by family, love, and the lingering smell of his secret recipes on the stove. Known affectionately as "Pawpaw," he left this world the same way he lived in it: with a full heart and a room full of people he loved.
Born and raised in New Orleans, LA, Enzo also made East Tennessee home for over 30 years and cultivated an equal love of the Smoky Mountains and the scruffy charm of Knoxville. He served in the US Army and retired from BellSouth after more than three decades. Enzo was an avid fisherman and hunter, and his love for the outdoors was rivaled by his love for LSU football, where he faithfully screamed at the TV believing Coach could hear him through the screen.
Enzo's culinary creations were legendary: he excelled at putting his twist on recipes of popular restaurant dishes, most of which were irreplicable due to his proclivity for adding a new ingredient each time he cooked them. He believed every meal was a feast and every feast needed a story-some true, some "true-ish," and all told with a dash of Tony Chachere's and a dollop (or six) of Blue Plate Mayonnaise.
He is survived by his loving wife of 26 years, Judy Luce, his son Eric Luce, his daughter Kerri Lorenz and husband Mark, stepdaughter Tanya Ickowitz and husband Michael, and stepdaughter Natalie Menegus and husband Joseph. He was the indescribably proud Pawpaw to Evan, Ava, and Noah Lorenz, Rachel and Jacob Ickowitz, and Cecilia Menegus. He was brother to Paul Luce (Cheryl) and Frank Luce, and brother by marriage to Steve Sanderson, Helen Christiana, and Kathleen Sanderson. Numerous nieces and nephews also miss their Uncle Enzo dearly, along with countless Knoxville and NOLA friends and surrogate grandchildren who have become family.
Enzo didn't just live life-he seasoned it, fried it, and served it with a side of laughter. The world is quieter without him, but we are heartened to know that he is already celebrating a life well lived with special family and friends that have preceded him in death, particularly his parents Lloyd Luce and Maria Lucia Palluotto Luce, his grandmother Nonna, parents-in-law Carl and Catherine Sanderson, sisters-in-law Sharon Luce and Barbara Luce, and brother-in-law Joseph Christiana.
Entertaining family and friends brought Enzo immeasurable joy, and he explicitly left instructions to have a party and raise a glass in his memory. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 26 from 1-4 pm at Calhoun's on the River in Knoxville, TN. In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to tell a great story, cheer on the Tigers and the Saints, cook something delicious, and maybe fib a little about how big the fish was.
Salud! Geaux rest high, Pawpaw. We love you more than your potato salad and stuffed eggs. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Enzo, please visit our Tree Store.