Sydney Thomas Milligan (Terrible Tommy Milligan)

It’s with great sadness, the family of “Terrible" Tommy Milligan announce his final checkered flag on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. 

In his 80 years, he fought the hardest race of life over the last few months. 

Sydney Thomas Milligan husband to Janice (McNickle) for over 56 years. Father to Tammy (Paul Giddings) and Paul (Jennifer Newton and her daughter Olivia). Brother to Charlotte, Pat (Harold) and Russell (Katrin) along with Wayne (Margaret) and Gary (Shirley) McNickle. Predeceased by parents Sydney and Helena (Fountain) and brother Jack. 

Tom appreciated his life long friendships with Bob Cude, Peter and Joe Bontius and Barry Stather. 

Growing up in Weston, Tom got the car bug early going to the CNE Speedway where he later began his incredible stock car racing career winning the first two races he entered. 

Working as a mechanic at Power Bros. gas station, the red and gold #23 was a local favourite out front before heading up to Pinecrest Speedway. Partnering with Bob “Rip” Rippington, they won race after race, including Pinecrest’s last championship and the last race in 1976. 

Moving onto Sunset Speedway, Tom won more championships including 25 features in a row over two summers. Because of this, a bounty was put in place for anyone who could beat him. He loved to help anyone at the track who would ask, including many of his competitors. 

Giving up an eight-year championship streak at Sunset, Tom travelled with the ASA series to Crew Chief for Bill Stephenson in 1985. These were some of the best memories of his life at tracks like Nashville Fairgrounds, Winchester Speedway and Michigan International Speedway. 

Another championship was won in OSCAAR Super Late Model at Mosport International Speedway, including 14 out of 17 feature wins in 1991. 

 Next Tom tried Open Wheel Modified racing winning many invitational features before hanging up his helmet to concentrate on son Paul and daughter Tammy’s racing. 

His racing career spanned from 1964 until the 1990’s, with a couple of races in the early 2000’s. Unfortunately, his almost 50-year battle with Diabetes ended his driving career earlier than he wanted. 

Tom lived and breathed cars. He had the knowledge and skill to build, setup as well as drive race cars, and could tell you every nut and bolt on so many old cars. One of his last projects was a 1923 T-Bucket dragster replica that will one day be finished by his family along with his 1927 Model T.  

Annual trips to Daytona Beach in February lead to a purchase of a family vacation home near Tarpon Springs Florida. Decades of great memories were had with Tom’s family and friends who visited. 

Up until his last week, he still enjoyed going to hot rod cruise nights as well as watching dirt track racing when he felt up to it.

 Thank you to the wonderful staff of Barrie Manor along with everyone who called and visited when he was not well in the last few months.  

If you choose to do so, a memorial donation can be made in Tom’s name to Diabetes Canada www.diabetes.ca. 

A celebration of life car show will be announced soon, because Tom wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. 

Stories, memories and photos may be left for the family at www.peacefultransition.ca