Don Drysdale
On Friday, Mike Ilitch passed away at the age of 87. He was always loyal to his teams, his fans, and to the city of Detroit and he will be forever remembered for what he did in our community.
According to reports, there will be a couple of opportunities for the public to say goodbye to Mr. I, including a public visitation at the Fox on Wednesday.
Here are the details provided by the Ilitch family:
Beginning February 13 at 1 p.m. – Public Memorial Display at Comerica Park
Beginning Monday, February 13 at 1 p.m., community members are invited to share memories or write messages of condolence on a temporary, public memorial site to be organized outside of Comerica Park, near the “Big Tiger”. Memorial sentiments will be saved and shared with family.
February 15, Noon – 8 p.m. – Public Visitation at the Fox Theatre Grand Lobby
Mr. Ilitch will lie in repose for a public visitation on Wednesday, February 15, from noon – 8 p.m. in the Grand Lobby of the historic Fox Theatre. Community members are invited to the lobby of this national historic site that Mike and his wife Marian fully restored and established as the world headquarters of Little Caesars in 1989.
Additional memorial opportunities and recognition events will be planned, including at Joe Louis Arena, the Lakeland Complex and the Little Caesars Arena construction site.
Family Statement
The family shares the following statement in appreciation for the support of the community during this difficult time:
To everyone who has so graciously remembered Mike Ilitch, we extend a heartfelt thank you. The volume of condolences and kind wishes overwhelms us, and we appreciate it more than words can express. We know that he would’ve been touched by the outpouring of support, especially from this community that he so loved. We will miss him tremendously, and we are grateful, humbled and comforted to know that his lifetime was filled with well-lived moments.
Mr. Ilitch, the co-founder of Little Caesars Pizza, owner of the Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings, Chairman of Ilitch Holdings, and champion for Detroit, died February 10 at age 87.
The Ilitch family will hold a small, private memorial service for close friends and family members in the coming days. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Mike Ilitch be made to:
