Thomas Patrick Carani

Thomas P. Carani, age 59, of Hayward, WI, beloved son, brother and Uncle, passed away on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at his family residence of natural causes.

Thomas Patrick Carani was born August 10, 1966, in Highland Park, IL the son of Renato and Sharon (Early) Carani. He was raised in Highland Park and attended school in Deerfield. In his youth, Tom enjoyed playing baseball, hockey, and golf. He was a talented drummer who enjoyed playing the drums even into his adult life. He and his basement band enjoyed playing at local school events. He had a real love of music.  Tom graduated from Deerfield High School in 1984 and continued his education for a brief period in Ladysmith, WI. Tom returned to Highland Park and worked for his father’s business, Ron Carani and Associates, for twenty years as a laborer assisting carpenters and was a member of the carpenter’s union. He then moved to Hayward, WI where he assisted his parents around their home and property. Tom was an avid reader and enjoyed playing cards. He had a love of food and enjoyed his mother’s cooking or going out for a nice family dinner together where he often insisted in picking up the bill for the whole family. His family is what he valued most in life, and he enjoyed his time with his nieces and nephews who called him Uncle Tommy and enjoyed his dry sense of humor and warm smile.

Tommy struggled with mental illness and was dedicated to keeping up with the treatment for his mental health. He overcame many obstacles with the support of professionals, his family, and especially his mother and father, to whom he was very close.

Tom is survived by his parents, “Ron” and Sharon Carani of Hayward, WI; two siblings, Jennifer (Bruce) Davis of Sweet Home, OR, Robert (Kara Watts) Carani of Hayward, WI; three nieces, Lucia Davis, Mia Davis and Isabella Carani; and two nephews, Benjamin “Ben” Carani and August “Gus” Carani.  

Service will be held for Tom at a later date in Highland Park, IL with a burial at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery.

Thresholds is an organization dedicated to helping the mentally ill in the Chicago area.  Tommy and his family benefitted from their help for many years. If you would like to make a donation to Thresholds in his memory, use the link provided below:

General Donations  (Please copy link and paste in your web browser)

https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/donor-form/?svcid=tcs&formId=244495e2-512f-4b16-9ab4-ba651f0d21b7&envid=p-xhoDzqYqo0K8X-th9MDYjQ&zone=usa

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