Ralph Thomas Vigliotti

R. Thomas Vigliotti died peacefully on May 4, 2021 after fending off lung cancer for several months. He was born and raised in the city of Detroit and was a lifelong supporter of the city he loved. He is survived by his wife of 43 years Maureen (nee Ritchie), daughter Ellie Rowland (Nick) son Tom, sisters Mary McHale and Anne Cesario(Mark). He was predeceased by his parents Ralph and Anne and sister Beth.

Tom was a kind and fun-loving man who will be remembered for his generous nature, adventurous spirit and infectious laugh. He was a National Rowing Champion in his late teens. He was a man of many, many talents excelling as a swimmer, sailor, private pilot, fisherman, scuba diver and a Detroit real estate developer.

Tom’s career began after college at Eastern Michigan University in his father Ralph’s second generation Detroit firm. He quickly grasped the intricacies of industrial real estate in a changing market. With his longtime business partner, John Miller, they developed a national reputation as innovative and successful developers of abandoned automotive manufacturing facilities.

Tom loved spending time at his second home on Harsen’s Island with his wife and children and was known for welcoming friends with a drink and a fantastic meal. He was an excellent cook known for big steaks and lobster parties on the deck. He lived and laughed and loved and left. The world will never be the same.

Memorial tributes are suggested to the McQuade Society of Ascension St. John, or Detroit Riverfront Conservancy.