RON ILITCH FOUND DEAD IN TROY HOTEL

RIP Ron

Ronald Tyrus Ilitch, one of the seven adult children of Michigan business magnates Mike and Marian Ilitch, died Friday of a suspected drug overdose in a Troy hotel.

Ron Ilitch, 61, was found dead in a room at the Troy Marriott on Big Beaver, according to police. He was on probation at the time.

The Ilitch family issued a statement late Friday afternoon, saying members of the family are mourning his death.

"On behalf of my mother Marian Ilitch and our entire family, I want to express our sadness and grief at Ron’s passing," Christopher Ilitch, president and CEO of Ilitch Holdings, said in the statement. "We’re devastated about this loss, and we ask for respect of the family’s privacy during this difficult time."

Ron Ilitch had a history of personal struggles and run-ins with the law, including a 2014 misdemeanor cocaine conviction.

State records indicate that he was on probation until May for a more recent offense. Chris Gautz, spokesman for the Michigan Department of Corrections, said the MDOC was supervising him on behalf of Colorado for an operating while intoxicated offense that occurred in that state.

His supervision conditions included staying away from drugs and alcohol, and making "genuine efforts" to find employment.

He was not involved in the family's many businesses, which include Little Caesars pizza, MotorCity Casino Hotel and ownership of the Detroit Tigers and Red Wings.

Troy Police Sgt. Meghan Lehman said the circumstances of the hotel death are still under investigation.

“We will be making contact with anyone else that was in the room and speaking with everyone that could have been a witness,” she said.

Family patriarch Mike Ilitch died on Feb. 10, 2017 at age 87.

My thoughts and prayers are with Denise Ilitch, her mother and family. God bless you with strength to get through this most difficult time.xoK

WORLD'S LARGEST SEAMLESS SCOREBOARD FOR RED WINGS!

DETROIT - July 17, 2017 - Fans attending concerts, shows or sporting events at the new Little Caesars Arena will enjoy state-of-the art video displays designed, manufactured and installed by Daktronics, the world leader in audiovisual systems and implementation. The centerhung system at Little Caesars Arena, the future home of the Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Pistons and countless entertainment and community events, will be more than 5,100 square feet.

As the largest seamless centerhung system in the world, the new scoreboard will allow video programming to completely wrap around the system and create a 360-degree experience. A total of 45 LED displays featuring more than 13,500 square feet and more than 16.5 million LEDs will be installed in and around the new arena before it opens for events in September.

"Little Caesars Arena will give fans the best entertainment experience available, including this incredible scoreboard and display system from Daktronics," said Tom Wilson, president and CEO of Olympia Entertainment. "Today fans have very high expectations for the size and quality of displays and the information they provide.

This system will exceed fan expectations in the seats, in the concourse and in new spaces like the expansive Chevrolet Plaza. Fans seated in the ends of the arena will experience the same size display as those seated on Little Caesars Arena sidelines, an amenity that few other arenas offer today." FULL STORY

DETROIT VISIONARY MIKE ILLITCH DIED AT 87

The Amazing Mike Illitch July 20, 1929-February 10, 2017

**UPDATE** Ilitch family to host public visitation for Mike Ilitch at Fox Theatre

Mike Illitch passed away today at 87. Mr. Illitch will be sadly missed. Mr. Illitch was Detroit's biggest cheerleader and invested so much back into the city he loved, Detroit, Michigan.


Mike and Marian Ilitch hoist the Stanley Cup on June 16, 1998 in Washington, D.C. after the Red Wings won their second consecutive NHL title by sweeping the Capitals. Vyacheslav Kozlov is at left.

Before his death, the Ilitch organization had embarked on a massive $1.2-billion District Detroit project, transforming dozens of blocks of largely vacant land in downtown Detroit into a vibrant neighborhood that will include office, retail and residential spaces, as well as the new Little Caesars arena. The project will continue under the leadership of his son, Christopher Ilitch, who became president and CEO last year, amid reports of Mike's ailing health.

Ilitch was at the center of Detroit's downtown redevelopment efforts; he purchased and renovated the Fox Theatre and relocated his business headquarters (Ilitch Holdings) there. He also owned Olympia Entertainment.

He bought the Red Wings and brought them back to life. Then when the Tigers were suffering under the ownership of another pizza mogul, Illitch bought the Tigers. The fans rejoiced!

Ilitch is survived by his wife and business partner, Marian, and seven adult children, Christopher Ilitch, Denise Ilitch, Atanas Ilitch, Mike Ilitch Jr., Lisa Ilitch Murray, Ronald Tyrus Ilitch, Carole Ilitch Trepeck

THANK YOU MR ILLITCH!