Charles P. Lazarus, the World War II veteran who founded Toys R Us, has died at age 94, a week after the iconic chain he started six decades ago announced it will shut down its stores across the United States.
Toys R Us confirmed Lazarus' death in a statement Thursday.
"There have been many sad moments for Toys R Us in recent weeks, and none more heartbreaking than today's news about the passing of our beloved founder, Charles Lazarus," the statement read.
Lazarus first opened a baby furniture store in Washington in 1948 and opened his first store dedicated only to toys in 1957.
He stepped down as chief executive in 1994.