One of Denver’s most prominent basketball families continues to honor the legacy of one member no longer with us.
JoAnn B. Ficke passed away from cancer in February 2007, but her memory lives on through her husband Bill, son Dan and the JoAnn B. Ficke Cancer Foundation.
If the names Bill Ficke and Dan Ficke ring a bell, they should. Bill was an assistant coach with the Nuggets under Doug Moe and has owned “Big Bill’s New York Pizza” in Centennial for quite some time. Dan was a great basketball player at Regis whose own journey recently brought him back to the University of Denver as an assistant under head coach Joe Scott.
On Friday, Big Bill’s will host its annual 9/11 “Day of Giving” at the restaurant. Customers won’t be charged for their food, but instead are asked to kindly give a donation to the JoAnn B. Ficke Cancer Foundation instead. The Denver Post reports the total in donations the last six years has been right around $715,000. The idea originally started as a way to honor those who lost their lives on 9/11 and provide funds for first responders and loved ones, but has since shifted to the JoAnn B. Ficke Cancer Foundation.
Friends, family and strangers are all encouraged to go grab a slice or two at Big Bill’s on Friday and donate whatever they can. You can find directions to the restaurant and everything else you need to know on their website.