From delivery driver to successful pizza maker
Shawn Paul Randazzo, who founded the Detroit Style Pizza Co. in St. Clair Shores and was a partner in Palazzo Di Pizza in Royal Oak, died Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in Detroit at the age of 44, after a battle with brain cancer. He was born Jan. 24, 1976 in Detroit.
Randazzo started working in the world of pizza in 1995 as a delivery driver for Cloverleaf Pizza and later he and his mother became owners of a Cloverleaf Pizza franchise in St. Clair Shores.
In 2012, he brought Detroit style pizza to international attention, using a dough that was a recipe he created at the International Pizza Expo in Las Vegas, where he was named World Champion Pizza Maker.
Winning that title is what spurred him to launch the Detroit Style Pizza Company restaurant and a separate website that allows the purchase of the square pans and brick cheese that are the hallmarks of the Detroit style pizza, along with a consulting business to teach those interested in becoming Detroit style pizza makers.
His winning ways continued with a third place in the Best of the Best Pizza Competition held during the 2017 Pizza Expo which also took place in Las Vegas.
He is survived by his wife, Keri; four children, one grandchild, his mother Linda Michaels and brother, Charlie Michaels.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help with medical expenses. To donate, visit gofundme.com/f/ shawn-randazzo
Memorial visitation will take place from 1-8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14 at Resurrection Funeral Home, 40800 Hayes Road, Clinton Township.