Healthy young Nashville chef, 26, dies while running in marathon – as his devastated girlfriend shares her grief
A young man who worked as a chef has 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, St. Jude Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series organizers said.
Fecci was then transported to a nearby hospital, where he died on Saturday.
The man’s heartbroken family released a statement to the public, calling him a “bright light of inspiration.”
It read: ‘It is with unbearable sorrow and immense sadness that we share that our dear and beloved Joey passed to the other side on Saturday, April 27th.
“He was a bright light of inspiration and positivity for all who were blessed to cross paths with him. He was a dear son, brother, friend and friend to many. He leaves behind a broken family that loves him so much.”
Joey Fecci (pictured) was a Michelin-level chef in the Nashville area and tragically died Saturday during a marathon
Fecci (pictured second from right) next to chefs at a famous restaurant called Dal Pescatore Santini in northern Italy
Fecci’s cause of death is not yet clear, as authorities have not released any concrete details
The Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series also released a statement expressing their condolences to Fecci’s family and friends, promising to support them during “this very difficult time.”
Marathon organizers have not revealed what caused or caused Fecci’s death, but Nashville police said he had been nearly four hours into the race when he was found in Shelby Park.
Fecci’s girlfriend posted a slideshow of images of him and her together in different settings.
“Oh Joey. I’m so sorry,” she wrote in the caption of the Instagram post. ‘We will never be able to fully understand it. I will never fill this void in my soul. You are and were my protector. We understood every bit of each other and loved each other so much. I really want to hug you again.”
She ended it with, “Rest in peace my love. The prettiest, the best smile, the best energy. I love you forever and always.’
Fecci (pictured) was described as a ‘storyteller in the kitchen’
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 in Westchester County, New York
Fecci’s girlfriend’s Instagram post commemorating the young chef
Fecci’s immediate family members commented on the friend’s post, with one telling her, “We love you forever Olivia, you will always be a Fecci.”
He worked as a chef at Yolan, an Italian restaurant in Nashville’s Joseph Hotel, from August 2020 to January 2024. And by all accounts he was extremely successful there.
The hotel where Yolan restaurant is located proudly announced this in April 2022 Fecci had been promoted to Chef de Cuisine.
The announcement stated that Fecci began his legendary career in restaurants when he was 15, working as a bus boy at a restaurant in Somers, New York, where he grew up.
One of the chefs who worked at Yolan at the time and 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 seamlessly celebrates both 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 raise the bar will keep laying higher and higher to deliver a dinner. experience that combines exquisite cuisine with exceptional service and hospitality.”
At 26, Fecci has a long resume in the restaurant world, having worked in Michelin-starred restaurants
Fecci’s family plans to release a more detailed statement at a later date, which could shed more light on the apparently healthy young man’s death.
Fecci met Mantuano while working from 2017 to 2019 at the Michelin-starred Spiaggia, the famed and now-closed Italian restaurant in Chicago where Mantuano was chef for 35 years, according to the 2022 announcement.
Fecci was then reunited with Mantuano after being coincidentally jogged by Yolan. Fecci then moved to Nashville to work with Mantuano again.
Fecci said of Mantuano at the time: “Chef Tony has mentored some of the industry’s best chefs – Missy Robbins, Joe Flamm and Sarah Grueneberg, to name a few. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to step into this leadership role while continuing to work and learn alongside him.”
The Fecci family said they would release a “more detailed statement” at a later date, which might shed light on how the 26-year-old died, which remains unknown.