Former GameStop CEO Paul Raines dies at 53

Former GameStop CEO J. Paul Raines, who left the company in late 2017 for medical reasons, has died. Raines was 53, according to his profile on Bloomberg.

“We are profoundly sad to learn of the passing of our friend and former chief executive officer, J. Paul Raines,” Mike Mauler, GameStop CEO, said in a statement. “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 left GameStop in November, according to a news release from the company that indicated a reoccurrence of a previously disclosed medical issue, for which he was seeking treatment. Raines had been treated for a cancerous brain tumor in 2014, GameStop announced at the time. GameStop executive chairman Daniel A. DeMatteo stepped in as interim CEO when Raines stepped down last year. In February, GameStop appointed Michael K. Mauler as its new CEO.

Raines had worked at GameStop since 2008, when he joined the company as chief operating officer. He was named CEO in 2010.