Ex-GameStop CEO J. Paul Raines passes away
Recently resigned executive lost after recurrence of cancer
J. Paul Raines, CEO of GameStop from 2010 until earlier this year, has died.
The retailer confirmed the news today in a statement from Raines' successor, Mike Mauler.
"We are profoundly sad to learn of the passing of our friend and former chief executive officer, J. Paul Raines," Mauler said. "His spirit is woven into the fabric of our company and the entire GameStop family mourns this loss. Paul was a brilliant man and remarkable visionary, as well as a compassionate, caring and inspirational community leader who was beloved by many. Paul cared deeply about his work and his GameStop family, but his greatest love was for his family. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to them and all those whose lives and hearts Paul touched during his journey."
Raines took the helm of the company in June of 2010, after a stint serving as its COO. Under his tenure, GameStop aggressively expanded its business beyond new and used game sales, and into mobile phones (Spring Mobile), Apple repair stores (Simply Mac), and pop culture collectibles (ThinkGeek).
Raines went on medical leave in November, with the company attributing it to a recoccurence of a previously disclosed medical condition. In 2014, he had a small brain tumor removed and he remained atop the company even as he underwent chemotherapy afterward.
Last month, it became clear Raines would not be returning to his CEO role when he resigned his spot on the GameStop board of directors "in order to focus on his health and family." At that point, GameStop executive chairman Dan DeMatteo, who had been the interim CEO during Raines' absence, named Mauler as the company's new CEO going forward.