Remembering Mike Ilitch: Sports owner, pizza magnate, Detroit champion

Mike Ilitch is remembered on the marquee of the Fox Theater on Friday, Feb. 10, 2017 in downtown Detroit.

Mike Ilitch holds up his new uniform when he took the field as Tiger Stadium as the team's new owner.

The Mike Ilitch family after the purchase of the Detroit Red Wings in June of 1982.

Detroit Tigers owners Mike and Marian Ilitch take the field at Tiger Stadium.

Mike Ilitch, owner of the Fox Theater, is photographed in the lobby of the Fox on July 9, 1987.

In Nov. 2003, Detroit Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch shows off his Hockey Hall of Fame ring in the Great Hall with the original Stanley Cup in the background in Toronto.

In 2003, Mike Ilitch took photos with his wife Marian and the family after he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.

Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Tigers owner Mike Ilitch smiles with his wife Marian, during induction ceremonies for the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in Detroit, Tuesday, March 30, 2004.

THE FIRST LITTLE CAESARS STORE Mike and Marian Ilitch invested their $10,000 life savings to open the first Little Caesars store in Garden City in 1959.

Little Caesar's owner Mike Ilitch with trophies won by teams he sponsors circa 1976.

Mike Ilitch in an old uniform as a player for the Marines' team from Quantico, VA. Ilitch also played for the Tigers' farm system in the 1950s.

In 1977, Mike Ilitch, whose Caesars professional softball team doesn't figure to make money this year, but which Ilitch insists can be a paying proposition in the future.

In 1980, Little Caesars Mike Ilitch is photographed with his pizza.

Detroit Red Wings new owner Mike Ilitch is presented a team jacket rom former owner Bruce Norris. Ilitch bought the team from Norris in 1982.

A young Steve Yzerman and Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch shake hands in a 1983 photo from Yzerman's rookie year with the Wings.

Mike Ilitch at Joe Louis Arena in 1992.

MARIAN AND MIKE ILITCH, owners of Little Caesars izza restaurants, sample the main dish at the opening of their 1,000th store Tuesday in Bloomfield Township in March of 1986..

In 1985, Detroit Mayor Coleman Young eats a slice of pizza at a fundraiser for the hungry in Detroit. It was sponsored by Little Caesars Pizza, owned by Mike Ilitch..

Marian and Mike Ilitch are entertained by Stan Baker of le Cirque, a New York theatrical troupe at a Diabetes fundraiser held in October of 1988.

Owner Mike Ilitch's team includes his daughter Denise, the general counsel, his son in law, Jim Lites, the executive vice president, and his wife, Marian, secretary-treasurer. Picture taken in 1988 at the Joe.

Mike Ilitch speaks about his recent acquisition of baseball's Detroit Tigers.

Mike and Marian Ilitch with Sergei Fedorov in the lockerroom with the trophy they won for winning the Western Conference Finals in the fifth game against the Chicago Blackhawks at Joe Louis Arena in 1995.

STANLEY CUP--RED WINGS OWNER MIKE ILITCH hugs coach SCOTTY BOWMAN after their Stanley Cup win over the Flyers Saturday night at Joe Louis Arena in 1997.

In 2002, Wings coach Scotty Bowman hugs Mike Ilitch at end of game when they won the Stanley Cup.

Detroit Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch gives the thumbs up to crowds during the Stanley Cup victory celebration at Hart Plaza in Detroit on Friday, June 6, 2008.

Red Wings Owner Mike Ilitch watchs his Wings play Montreal near the end of the 1994 regular season.

In 2008, Mike and Marian Ilitch share a quiet moment along near the ice before they and the team gather for a team picture.

MIke Ilitch takes a look at Darren McCarty 40 stiches required to replace the skin cut off his face during a game in 1999.

Newest Detroit Red Wing BRETT HULL is handed his new jersey by Wings' owner MIKE ILITCH during the formal press conference when he was introduced in 2001.

In 1997, Mike Ilitch shakes hands with the parade goers down Woodward Ave. after winning the Stanley Cup.

In 1998, Detroit Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch during the Detroit Red Wings Stanly Cup parade in Detroit. The Wings swept the Washington Capitals in 4 games.

Red Wings owners Mike and Marian Ilitch during Steve Yzerman's jersey retirement ceremony in 2007.

Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch talks to a Free Press reporter Oct. 24, 2003 in his suite prior to the start of the Red Wings and Dallas Stars game at Joe Louis Arena.

Ken Holland, Mike and Marian Ilitch, Gordie Howe and Nicklas Lidstrom offically open the Gordie Howe Entrance at Joe Louis Arena in 2006.

Mike Ilitch at Tiger Stadium.

Mike Ilitch at the administrative offices of Comerica Park on Thursday, September 28, 2006. AMY LEANG/Detroit Free Press

In 1995,Tigers owner Mike Ilitch and Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer during the press conference to confirm the site of a new baseball stadium.

Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer and Gov. John Engler shake the hands with Marian and Mike Ilitch during groundbreaking ceremonies at the site of the new Tigers stadium in Detroit, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 1997.

Detroit Tigers owner Mike Ilitch, shown at the groundbreaking for the new Tigers stadium in Detroit, Oct. 29, 1997.

New Tigers manager, Phil Garner introduced his new slugger, Juan Gonzalez to Tigers owner Mike Ilitch in 2000.

Tigers manager Alan Trammell, owner Mike Ilitch and GM David Dombrowski share a laugh prior to the Tigers and LA Dogers spring training game a in Lakeland in 2003.

Detroit Tigers President, CEO & GM David Dombrowski with Torii Hunter and Tigers owner Mike Ilitch during the press conference introducing Hunter in 2012.

Detroit Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez stands with team owner Mike Ilitch, Friday, Nov. 14, 2014 in Detroit, after agreeing to terms on a four-year contract through the 2018 season.

STORY:Ernie Harwell: Marian Ilitch stands with Ernie Harwell and her husband Mike Ilitch during a reception for Harwells in the new "Lulu and Ernie Harwell Collection" room at the Detroit Public Library in Detroit in 2004.

Detroit Tigers Owner Mike ilitch waits for the team picture to be shot Tuesday,September 15, 2009 at Comerica Park in Detroit.

Mike Ilitch and John McHale Jr. pose for pictures after McHale was introduced as team president at a news conference in 1995.

Mike Ilitch in 1994.

Mike Ilitch.

In 1999, Detroit Tigers owner Mike Ilitch toured the construction site of the new home of the Detroit Tigers.

Detroit Tigers owner Mike Ilitch reacts after signing the last piece of structural steel before it was lowered into place at Comerica Park in Detroit, May 26, 1999.

Mike Ilitch .

Mike Ilitch listens to Al Kaline, as he points and talks about the temporary fence placed in left field at Comerica Park in 2002. On the left is Tigers VP of Park Operations John Pettit.

Tigers owner Mike Ilitch and Tigers catcher Ivan Rodriguez celebrate their clinching of a playoff spot after a win over the Royals in Kansas City on Sept. 24, 2006. The Tigers went on to win the A.L. pennant, but lost to the St. Louis Cardinals, 4-1, in the World Series.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland, right, with Marian and Mike Ilitch after the Tigers defeated the Oakland Athletics 6-3 in Game 4 of the 2006 ALCS at Comerica Park to advance to the World Series on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2006.

Mike Ilitch Dave Dombrowski lift the William Harridge Trophy after their team won the American League championship series against the New York Yankees at Game 4, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012, in Detroit. The Tigers, who won 8-1, move on to the World Series.

Jim Leyland, Mike Ilitch, Dave Dombrowski and the AL honorary president Jackie Autry on the stage after the Tigers won Game 4 of the ALCSs between the Tigers and the Yankees in 2012.

Mike Ilitch in 2006.

Marian and Mike Ilitch receive the Shining Light award in 2007. Presenting the award are Thomas W.B. Porter and Deborah Dingell.

Mike Ilitch, founder of Little Caesars pizza, serves pizza slices to the homeless in Washington in 2007. He also owns the Detroit Red Wings and Tigers.