The legacy of Mike Ilitch has drawn hundreds to downtown Detroit this afternoon.
A memorial service was planned for Wednesday inside the Fox Theatre starting at noon, more than a half hour before the doors opened more than 200 people were lined up ready to pay their respects.
“It will be hard for anybody to repeat what he’s done,” said Walter Benjamin, a cousin of Detroit Tigers great Willie Horton. “It’ll never be duplicated.”
Many of the people who showed up for the memorial had few ties to Ilitch, but almost everyone felt like he was family. The reality is that after years of seeing his sports teams, and the businesses he ran Ilitch became an integral part of the city for many.
“He’s a sweetheart,” said Lynette Williams. “There is no other word.”
Williams who works at the Rosa Parks Institute, said that she wouldn’t miss the memorial service no matter what. She showed up with a bouquet of makeshift roses that were the Detroit Tigers colors. She said that Ilitch’s move to pay Rosa Park’s rent more than a decade ago until the Parks died was just one show of the support he gave the community, and because of that she considered him a great man.
“Another gem is gone, but he’s up in heaven smiling down on us.”
The memorial service for Mike Ilitch continues until 8 p.m.
