BJ's CEO Died Of Heart Attack While Running

WESTBOROUGH, MA — The chief executive of BJ's Wholesale Club died of a heart attack while out for a run Thursday, according to a family member.

Lee Delaney, 49, of Wellesley, was an avid runner who took up the sport in part to fight a family history of heart problems. BJ's said Friday Delaney appeared to have died of "natural causes," without offering more specifics.

Delaney had been with Westborough-based BJ's since 2016, when he joined the company as chief growth officer. He was named president in 2019 and chief executive last year. He was credited with steering the company through the global pandemic, which changed shopping patterns and, at the start, upended supply lines and inventory for retailers.

Delaney grew up in Braintree and attended the University of Massachusetts before earning a master's degree at Carnegie Mellon University. Before BJ's, Delaney spent 20 years working at Bain Capital, where he rose to partner.

Delaney is survived by his wife, Robin, and two sons.

BJ's named Chief Financial Officer Bob Eddy interim chief executive. He has been with the company since 2007 and was named chief financial officer in 2011. In 2018, he was given the additional title of chief administrative officer.

For more on Lee Delaney, see his tribute page on Legacy.com.