Detroit Tigers/Red Wings owner, Mike Ilitch, dies at 87

[BetteDavisEyes]

BREAKING: Detroit Tigers, Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch dies at age 87

By Derick Hutchinson
Posted: 6:30 PM, February 10, 2017

Detroit Tigers and Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch has died at age 87, Local 4 News has learned.

Here's the full statement from the Ilitch family:

"It is with great sadness that I inform you of the passing of my father, Mike Ilitch, our beloved colleague, friend and leader. Mr. I, as so many of you affectionately called him, died this afternoon at a local hospital. He was 87.

As many of you know, my father loved his family dearly. He is survived by his wife and my mother, Marian Ilitch, his partner in life and in business. They have seven adult children (Denise, Ron, Michael Jr., Lisa, Atanas, me and Carole), 22 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Mr. I’s love extends to the many thousands of colleagues, players, coaches and franchisees, whom he regarded as his extended family. I know firsthand how much he truly cared for each of you...

http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/...rs-red-wings-owner-mike-ilitch-dies-at-age-87

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Mike Ilitch, Tigers, Wings owner, dies at 87

Francis X. Donnelly , The Detroit News Published 6:40 p.m. ET Feb. 10, 2017 | Updated 3 minutes ago

Mike Ilitch, a self-made billionaire whose influence in Detroit touched everything from downtown development to pro sports, casinos to concerts, restaurants to food distributors, died today.
He was 87.

Ilitch, the son of immigrants, turned a single pizzeria into a $3.4 billion business, invested in downtown Detroit long before anyone else, and turned the Tigers and Red Wings into perennial contenders.
His name eventually became synonymous with Detroit...

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/2017/02/10/mike-ilitch-tigers-wings-owner-dies/97766038/