Thomas Tignanelli

Thomas R. Tignanelli passed away peacefully on October 1, 2025, at the age of 80.

Beloved son of the late Robert and Constance Tignanelli. Loving brother of James Tignanelli. Cherished uncle of Tracy Tignanelli and Lauren (Casey) Petz.

Tom grew up in the Detroit area and graduated from Denby High School in 1963. He spent much of his life in Clinton Township, Michigan, where he worked alongside his father at the family business, Shadowoods Racing. There, Tom's extraordinary talent and passion for automotive innovation helped build a respected legacy in custom fabrication and high-performance engine design.

A true visionary, Tom had the rare ability to imagine solutions and bring them to life with precision and skill. Whether improving on existing designs or crafting his own from scratch, his work earned him admiration and respect throughout the racing community.

Tom was also a Champion Race Car Driver in his own right. His engines powered not only his own vehicles, but also those of countless others to championship victories.

Outside the shop and the track, Tom gave generously of his time-especially to children in the community. Tom's legacy of craftsmanship, generosity, and passion for racing lives on in the lives he touched.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 5, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Bagnasco & Calcaterra Funeral Home, 13650 E. Fifteen Mile Road, Sterling Heights, MI.

A Funeral Service will take place on Monday, October 6, 2025, at Resurrection Cemetery, 18201 Clinton River Road, Clinton Township, MI.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Defender Mobility, which provides veteran charity organizations and individuals with rugged, off-road wheelchairs to help them regain independence through hunting, fishing, and outdoor mobility www.DefenderMobility.com, or to the Karmanos Cancer Institute, supporting cancer research www.Karmanos.org