BJ's CEO Lee Delaney Dies Unexpectedly At 49

WESTBOROUGH, MA — Lee Delaney, the CEO of BJ’s Wholesale Club, died unexpectedly Thursday, according to the company. He was 49.

The company said said his death was presumed to be from natural causes.

“We are shocked and profoundly saddened by the passing of Lee Delaney,” said Christopher J. Baldwin, the chairman of BJ’s board of directors, in a statement. “Lee was a brilliant and humble leader who cared deeply for his colleagues, his family and his community. We extend our most heartfelt condolences and sympathy to his family, especially his wife and two children. We will honor his legacy and remember the extraordinary impact he had on so many. Our thoughts are with them during this difficult time.”

BJ’s, headquarted in Westborough, Massachusetts, has 221 stores in 17 states throughout the East.

Bob Eddy, the company's executive vice president and chief administrative and financial officer, was named interim CEO.

“Bob partnered closely with Lee and has played an integral role in transforming and growing BJ’s Wholesale Club,” Baldwin said. “We have the utmost confidence in Bob’s leadership and his deep knowledge of the business. We expect to announce permanent changes to our leadership within a reasonably short timeframe, aided by our prior succession planning.”

Correction: The original version of this story stated that Delaney was 48 when he died. He was 49.