Announcing the Tommy Pacello Placemaking Fellowship
“Thomas ‘Tommy’ Anthony Pacello, Jr. was a native Memphian, doting father, pretty fantastic husband, a friend to all, a confidant to the lucky, a hesitant attorney, city planner by training, audiophile, killer home chef, owner of the best head of hair this side of the Mississippi, Star Wars nerd, avid outdoorsman, handiest of handymen, and all around great dude. We lost him in November of 2020 to pancreatic cancer.” This note from his loved ones captures the overflowing personality of the late Tommy Pacello, whose work in service of his beloved hometown left an indelible mark on Memphis and touched countless lives for the better.
In honor of Pacello, who brought a vision of urban revitalization to Memphis, and inspired people to “do better” and make “cool stuff,” a cash prize will be awarded annually through The Tommy Pacello Placemaking Fellowship to an individual or team that is making “cool stuff."