SHARE: First pay checks and warm encounters, readers reflect on their time with Mike Ilitch

Mike Ilitch touched the lives of countless Detroiters and far beyond. Did you ever meeting Ilitch? Share your story and we'll include them in our tribute coverage of his life and legacy. 

Reader stories

Amateur hockey 

Mike Ilitch will always be most remembered as a great owner of Detroit professional sports teams and as the driving force behind the revitalization of the Detroit downtown area. But for me, growing up playing and then coaching hockey in Michigan, Mr. Ilitch has had a tremendous impact on raising the level of Amateur hockey in Michigan. His many years of sustained generosity and dedication to Michigan amateur hockey, has set the standard for hockey sponsorship. He infused a competitive spirit in the Michigan amateur hockey community, that created, arguably, one of the strongest developmental hockey communities in the US and Canada. There's not a major hockey tournament in US/Canada that doesn't recognize the Little Caesars hockey colors. We deeply morn the passing of Mr. Illitch and our heart felt sympathy and prayers go out to his family. I'm sure there will always be a warm place in the "Hockey Heavens" for Mr. I. -Bob Petrie, Pinckney, MI

Checker Bar 

I recall meeting Mr. I almost 20 years ago. He was walking down Congress Street in Downtown Detroit, going into Checker Bar. My partner says, "Here comes Mr. Ilitch." He came in by himself, had a burger, had a great conversation with us. When he was leaving, I gave him my card and asked about being a part of his security team. His response was "I don't need security in my city I love." That's a great man! He will be missed! -Rod Holley, Harper Woods

Down to earth

I started working at Little CAESARS almost 38 yrs ago. I had the opportunity to meet Mr.I. A few times. Once was at the office when it was in Farmington Hills. We were out for a meeting there and Mr I, came in. What I remember was the way in which he was dressed in sweats and a trench coat. He was a very down to earth man never gave me the impression that he was rich,very unassuming and always seemed to care about his employees. He used to tour the stores and always took the time to chat with everyone. -Janeen Balenecki, Roseville

Rename the arena

Mr. Ilitch would often shop at the Kroger in Bloomfield. He would buy little snack or treat items for himself. Ilitch was pleasant he pulled out his few dollars and if you didn't recognize him, you'd never know he was a billionaire. I would smile to myself as I rung up his items. Prayers to his family he was one of the best "people person" you could meet. I hope LCA (the new arena) will be renamed in his memory. -J. Aus, Belleville

Circus memory

In 1984 my wife and I took my then 6 year old daughter to Joe Louis Arena to see the Ringling Brothers Barnum Bailey Circus. As we walked in I told my wife I was going to buy a program. I left her and my daughter and walked to the booth to buy the program. When I turned around they were gone. I looked around for them and I noticed they were walking away with a man. I had no idea who it was. So I caught up with them and asked what was going on. My wife said this man want's to have my daughter Erica dressed like a clown for the circus. That's when I looked to see who it was. I looked and was surprised to see that it was Mike Ilitch. I asked my wife do you know who that is ? she said no. I said its Mike Ilitch the owner of the Red Wings. She said no way ! I assured her that's who it was. Mr Ilitch then asked if it would be alright if he took my daughter down to where they makeup the clowns and have her dressed up like a clown. I asked my daughter if she was alright with that and she said yes. Just then Mrs. Ilitch showed up in a golf cart that I guess she used to get around Joe Louis with. She introduced herself. Mr. Ilitch then told her what he wanted to do. So they took my daughter down to the makeup people and had her made up to look like a clown. They dressed her from head to toe she was so excited. Mr and Mrs. Ilitch then talked with us for a few more minutes and told us thank you for allowing us to let them dress up our daughter. My wife and I said no thank you !! You both made this day one we will always remember. Thank you to the Ilitch's for giving me a great memory. They both are wonderful people that Detroit should be very proud of. -Steven Smith, Westland

Classy and genuine

Shortly after Mike Ilitch bought the Detroit Tigers in 1992, I sent a handwritten letter to congratulate him and to thank him for all he had done for Detroit. I also addressed a number of hopes and concerns I had regarding not only the Tigers but the Red Wings and the city of Detroit as well. Much to my surprise, about a week later I received a lengthly handwritten letter from Mike in which he addressed each of my concerns. He was very gracious and thanked me for being a loyal fan and life-long Detroit booster. It left me feeling even more grateful and optimistic about our teams and the future of Detroit. What a genuinely classy man Mr. Ilitch was, and how sorely he will be missed.-John Hofweber

Gentle smile

My Mother, Barbara Webb worked as Mr. Ilitch Secretary. My Mother told me about a position open in the Red Wing season ticket department. Well I got the job working under Atanis and a staff full of amazing team. During my time there Mr Ilitch would walk around the Joe greeting everyone with a gentle smile. He and Mrs Ilitch would drive their cars inside the Joe. When the circus would come to town, my children would come and get a up close view of the animals. There Mr Ilitch would be with his gentle smile. My Mother moved to Las Vegas since then. This is one call im dreading. RIP Mr Ilitch. -Tracey Webb, Auburn Hills

First pay check 

Seeing him for the first time while picking up paychecks at the Fox. Little Caesars was my first real job, my first real paycheck. -Julie, West Bloomfield

Premium, of course 

I cared for him, back in the day in hospital. He was the kindest, most gentle man I've ever met. Meek, not pretentious at all. We had free pizza for a week ... premium, of course. That's the kind of guy he was. -Mark

Early-80s

I returned home from the Navy in early 1982. The economy was horrifically bad. I eventually found a job. My brothers had been working as stands vendors selling pop (.75) & beer(1.50). I was also hired in the fall. It worked out because I parked at Cobo Hall and could enter the Joe early before the hockey after I walked over from work. There weren't many people there to watch the hockey, 3000-4000 (2000 Canadians LOL), but the extra income helped. One evening Mr. Ilitch was in the worker area below the stands. He was very polite and friendly. I shook his hand and thanked him for starting the resuscitation of the dead things. He smiled and thanked me for being there to work. I still thank God for meeting one of the best people in the history of the world. -Mike Horvath

Wish I met him

I don't have a Mr. I story. I wish I did. All I have are positive thoughts and memories of this man who did so much for Detroit and its citizens. I wish he could have seen Little Caesars Arena completed. -Donna, Royal Oak

Kindness

In the 90's, I coordinated meetings of a hospital board on which Mr. Illitch served. Following one, he remained afterwards to meet with another board member and Detroit "mover & shaker" at the far end of the meeting table. While cleaning off the remaining meeting materials I clumsily dropped a pile of papers. One man looked up, clearly annoyed. The other leaped to his feet and rushed over to help me and, despite my embarrassed protests, got down on the floor and gathered up the materials with me. This small kindness speaks volumes about the character of Mike Illitch.

Thank you! 

Thank you Mike for all the great memories and the 4 Stanley Cup wins of my favorite team that I got to see. Thanks for making Detroit Hockey Town! You will so missed! -Kenneth Gifford

Common Bond

Mike and my late husband, Joe Herchock, had a common bond, playing baseball in the Minor League Baseball System. Mike's ambition was to own a Major League Baseball Team, and to fulfill this dream he began the Little Caesars Pizzeria Franchises. In the early 1960's, Joe and I opted to own Little Caesars Pizzeria - Store No. 9. On the opening day of our store, Mike and his lovely wife Marian. were enthusiastically flipping pizzas beside Joe and I. Our relationship with Mike was wonderful and very successful. Approximately 35 years later, after the Red Wings won The Stanley Cup twice, and Mike now owned the Detroit Tigers.. . he achieved his dream. Mike's daughter Denice was honored as a Woman of Achievement by the Jewish Community Council at the Detroit Athletic Club. I was a professional photographer documenting this event. Seeing, Mike I approached him, saying hello. Initially, he didn't recognize me. I then mentioned Joe's and my name, and Mike immediately asked, . . "How's Joe?" When I told him Joe was no longer with us, Mike immediately expressed his very kind and deepest sympathy. Later that evening Mike allowed me to photograph a family portrait of Denice, her two beautiful children, his wife Marian and himself, .. . the incredible Mike Ilitch who flipped pizzas beside Joe and I at Little Caesars Pizzeria - No. 9.

It is with my deepest sympathy to Mike's dear family, and may God rest his soul.,
Fondly, Elaine Herchock

Joy to fans

I just heard about the passing of Mike Ilitch. I never had the honor and privilege of meeting him in person, but my family and I felt like he has been a part of our lives for many, many years. I was a Season Ticket holder when he bought the Red Wings, and watched as his leadership carried and guided the team from many seasons of futility - to decades of incredible success. He brought a sense of pride and joy to all of us who cared about the Red Wings, as well as the Tigers. And his iconic efforts to help revitalize Detroit will be remembered forever. He was a role model for all of us, and his life served as an example for all of us to admire, and to emulate. He set a standard for all of us to aspire to.

I would like to convey our deepest condolences and sympathies to Mrs Ilitch and to their family. And our most heartfelt thanks, as well. -Raymond Rahi