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Mike Ilitch, who built Little Caesars into a giant pizza empire, and who went on to buy the Red Wings and the Detroit Tigers, died Friday, WDIV reports. He was 87.
“My father was a once-in-a-generation entrepreneur, visionary and leader, setting the tone for our organization and our family,” said Christopher Ilitch, President and CEO of Ilitch Holdings, Inc., in a statement released by the company.
Ilitch, who had been in ill health in recent years, helped plant a seed of revival in the city when he bought and refurbished the Fox Theatre in the 1980s when downtown Detroit was on a steady decline.
His Red Wings went on win the Stanley Cup, but he was never able to bring a World Series championship home to the Tigers, though he spent generously on player salaries.
Ilitch graduated from Cooley High School in Detroit and then joined the Marine. After returning home, he played baseball in the minor leagues, but a knew injury ended his career.
In 1959, he and his wife Marian started the first Little Caesars Pizza in Garden City. Today, it is the third largest U.S.-based pizza chain, only behind Pizza Hut and Dominos. It has outlets around the world including in the Middle East.
In 1982, Ilitch bought the Detroit Red Wings from Bruce Norris for $8 million. The team won the Stanley Cup in 1997, 1998, 2002 and 2008. In 1992, he bought the Tigers from fellow pizza magnate Tom Monaghan. His dream was to win the World Series. The team went to the World Series in 2006 and 2012, but lost both times.
Ace pitcher Justin Verlander tweets:
Heartbroken hearing of Mr I's passing. He was a family man. A self made man. A giving man. An icon for our city and nation.
"Detroit has lost a champion, on and off the rinks and playing fields. RIP Mike Ilitch, who left a mark with his hands, vision and soul," tweeted veteran Detroit sports writer Mike O'Hara.
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan issues a statement:
Mike Ilitch was more than just a shrewd, successful businessman. He was a Detroiter through-and-through.
Whether he was making pizza, building successful sports and entertainment franchises or supporting youth organizations in our city, "Mr. I" helped to bring thousands of jobs and opportunities to our city and attract millions of dollars of investment.
More than all of this, he was a family man. I know how Mike Ilitch adored his family and how his family adores him. My heart goes out to Marian, their children and the entire Ilitch family at this difficult time.
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