A young man who worked as a chef died while running a marathon in Nashville.
Joey Fecci, 26, was found unconscious in the Shelby Park portion of the race and emergency responders performed CPR, according to organizers of the St. Jude Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series.
Fecci was then transported to a nearby hospital where he died Saturday.
The man’s heartbroken family issued a statement to the public, calling him a “bright light of inspiration.”
It read: “It is with unbearable pain and immense sorrow that we share that our dear and beloved Joey transitioned to the other side on Saturday, April 27.
‘He was a shining light of inspiration and positivity to all who were lucky enough to cross his path. He was a treasured son, brother, boyfriend and friend to many. He leaves behind a broken family that loves him dearly.”
Joey Fecci (pictured) was a Michelin-level chef in the Nashville area and tragically died Saturday during a marathon.
Fecci (pictured, second from right) with chefs at a famous restaurant called Dal Pescatore Santini in northern Italy.
The cause of Fecci’s death is still unclear as authorities have not released any concrete details.
The Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series also issued a statement offering its condolences to Fecci’s family and friends, pledging to support them at “this very difficult time.”
Marathon organizers did not reveal what led to or caused Fecci’s death, but Nashville police said he was nearly four hours into the race when they found him in Shelby Park.
Fecci’s girlfriend posted a slideshow with images of him and her together in various settings.
-Oh, Joey. I’m so sorry,” he wrote in the caption of the Instagram post. ‘We will never be able to fully understand you. I will never fill this void in my soul. You are and were my protector. We understood every part of each other and loved each other deeply. I’m so looking forward to to hug you again.’
She ended with: ‘Rest in peace my love. The most handsome, the best laugh, the best energy. I love you always and forever.’
Fecci (pictured) was described as a “kitchen storyteller”
Fecci takes a selfie with his girlfriend, who posted a heartfelt tribute to him on Instagram on Monday, two days after his death.
Fecci is originally from a town of about 20,000 people in Westchester County, New York.
Fecci’s girlfriend’s Instagram post in memory of the young chef
Fecci’s immediate family members commented on the bride’s post and one of them told her: “We love you Olivia forever, you will always be a Fecci.”
He worked as a chef at Yolan, an Italian restaurant inside the Joseph Hotel in Nashville, from August 2020 to January 2024. And by all indications, he had great success while there.
In April 2022, the hotel that houses the Yolan restaurant proudly announced that Fecci had been promoted to the Head Chef.
The ad said Fecci began his storied restaurant career when he was 15 years old and working as a busboy at a restaurant in Somers, New York, where he grew up.
One of the chefs then working at Yolan, who had known Fecci for years, effusively praised the young chef’s skills.
‘Joey is a storyteller in the kitchen. “His expertise and creativity shine through in every dish that perfectly celebrates Italy and Tennessee,” said Chef Tony Mantuano in 2022. “This promotion is a testament to Joey’s talent and dedication, and we know he will continue to raise the bar for offering a restaurant. experience that combines exquisite cuisine with extraordinary service and hospitality.’
Fecci has a long resume in the restaurant industry: he is 26 years old and has worked in Michelin-starred establishments.
Fecci’s family plans to release a more detailed statement at a later date, which could shed more light on the death of the apparently healthy young man.
Fecci met Mantuano while working from 2017 to 2019 at Michelin-starred Spiaggia, the famed and now-shuttered Italian restaurant in Chicago where Mantuano was chef for 35 years, according to the 2022 announcement.
Fecci then met up with Mantuano after Yolan casually went jogging. Fecci then moved to Nashville to work alongside Mantuano again.
Fecci said of Mantuano at the time: ‘Chef Tony has mentored some of the best chefs in the industry: Missy Robbins, Joe Flamm and Sarah Grueneberg, to name a few. “I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to take on this leadership role as I continue to work and learn alongside him.”
The Fecci family said they would release a “more detailed statement” later, perhaps shedding light on how the 26-year-old died, something that is unknown at this time.