Lee J. Delaney, age 49 of Wellesley, MA passed unexpectedly on April 8, 2021.
Lee was an absolute original for those who had the chance to share their lives with him. His compassion, generosity and love for the people in his life were always paired with his special knack for ensuring that happiness, excitement and fun were ever-present when spending time together. He was many things to many people: a tour de force as a leader of industry, a deep intellectual, a friend with an exquisite wit and sense of humor, but most importantly he was a wonderful son, loving husband, and an awesome Dad.
On Thursday, April 8th Lee was out enjoying a run on Massachusetts’ first truly beautiful spring day when he tragically suffered a medical emergency. This profound and shocking loss reverberates deeply throughout his family, friends, community, and large network of close work colleagues, but the impact and legacy he leaves are enormous.
Lee grew up in Braintree, MA. There, he excelled in academics and played sports, later attending the University of Massachusetts at Amherst where he earned a BS with a double major in computer science and mathematics. He continued his academic pursuits at Carnegie Mellon University, earning an MBA after a short time in the professional world. He spent 20 years at Bain & Company starting out as a consultant and growing through the ranks to become a Partner. Most recently, was the President and Chief Executive Officer of BJ’s Wholesale Club. His depth of knowledge across numerous sectors of business, coupled with his dynamic and deft leadership style, left an indelible mark on the business world and his colleagues. Lee was known for his friendly smiles and conversations with those he worked with, frequently seeking input and seeming to remember the names and stories of the multitudes of people with whom he worked. He was a consummate leader and trusted mentor to many in his field.
While Lee successfully served in so many professional roles, he was most proud of being a loving, deeply caring and committed father and husband. Lee and his wife, Robin built a wonderful life, raising their sons, enjoying travel and spending time with extended family, friends and their dogs. Lee coached his sons’ basketball teams for a number of years and guided them as they explored many other sports and activities. He punctuated his life with adventure and fun. Among his many hobbies and interests he was an avid outdoorsman and a pilot enjoying mountain climbing, traveling, and skiing.
To know Lee was to know his vibrant, down-to-earth and engaging personality that sometimes felt like a composite of the most memorable characters from a great book or movie. He was brilliant, humble, curious, confident, hilarious and loyal. He had a gentle, innate way of making those in his presence feel seen, heard, and important. He had a deep bench of lifelong buddies and was the very best kind of friend to those lucky enough to call him one. An excellent and active listener, Lee was insightful and thoughtful in his conversation and advice.
As a donor and supporter of many organizations, including the Red Cross, Boston Children’s Hospital, Dana Farber Cancer Institute and several others. Lee’s generous giving and charitable nature touched the lives of many.
Lee is survived by his wife Robin, sons Max and Zachary, mother Christine Ruhr, step-father Jon Ruhr, step-sisters Laurie Sullivan and Lisa Rutledge, and parents-in-law Michael and Meryl Anapol, sister- and brother-in-law Susan and Matt Shultz, aunts and uncle Lucy & Ed Kinan and Florence Tenore, and an extended circle of friends and colleagues. He is preceded in death by grandparents Lena and Dan Tenore, his uncle Michael Tenore and stepbrother Stephen Ruhr.
Services are private. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that gifts be made to support Brigham and Women's Hospital. Checks can be made payable to Brigham and Women's Hospital with "in memory of Lee J. Delaney" in the memo line and sent to: Brigham and Women's Hospital, Development Office, 116 Huntington Ave., 3rd floor, Boston, MA 02116 or visit
giving.brighamandwomens.org to make your gift online.
A remembrance of Lee’s life for friends and colleagues will be announced at a later date.