R.I.P. ‘Yankee Candle Company’ Founder Michael Kittredge Dead At 67

BOSTON, MA. (THECOUNT) — Michael Kittredge II, who founded the Yankee Candle Company, has died at the age of 67.

The death of the businessman and philanthropist was announced Thursday morning in a statement to local media on behalf of the Kittredge family.

Kittredge, who lived in Leverett, MA, died on Wednesday evening, surrounded by family members and friends at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, following a brief illness, reports WWLP.

In addition to his business successes, Kittredge was also noted musician, who was part of the regionally-famous band “x” during his teenage years. He continued to play music throughout his life.

Kittredge founded Yankee Candle from his family’s South Hadley home back in 1969. He grew the business from that small operation to a major international manufacturer and retailer of candles and other products.

Kittredge was a two-time cancer survivor, who served on the board of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. He also suffered a stroke in 2012.

Kittredge is survived by one son and two daughters. No public calling hours or funeral services have been planned at this time.

Geo quick facts: Leverett is a town in Franklin County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 1,876 as of the 2010 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area – Wikipedia.