Duane Tomei, enthusiastic community icon and quintessential volunteer, died Wednesday night in Redding from complications related to cancer, said Barbara Harrison, his longtime companion.
He was 70.
“Duane was involved in everything in town,” Harrison said. “He was a very giving, loving person.”
A plumber by trade, Tomei was an eternal optimist who enjoyed joking around, being with people and almost anything related to classic cars.
He had a soft spot for anything that lent a hand to children, whether it was Make-A-Wish, Turtle Bay Museums or the Shriner project that Tomei helped organize that transported ill youngsters to the Shriners’ Hospital.
A member of Asphalt Cowboys, Sons of Italy and a lifelong Mason, Tomei was perhaps best known for nearly two decades of dedication to Kool April Nites, an event he helped found that grew in popularity and responsibility each year.
This community is a better place because of Duane Tomei, said his friend Vicki Cook, who recently took over duties Tomei relinquished as Kool April Nites’ former president.
“He was one of the best,” Cook said.
“He was Mr. Personality, and there wasn’t anything the guy wouldn’t do if you asked him. He wouldn’t refuse anyone anything. He wanted to be there for people. He wasn’t interested in getting rich. Everything he did he did for the community.”
Services for Tomei are pending at Allen & Dahl, Cook said, who added that she expected a huge turnout for his funeral.
“We’re all going to miss him terribly,” she said.
“We all loved the guy, so it’ll be tough. I cannot believe he’s not here any more. We weren’t ready to let him go.”
