Mark Butler Founder PA ‘Ollie’s Bargain Outlets’ Dies Suddenly Sunday

MECHANICSBURG, PA. (THECOUNT) — Mark Butler, the co-founder and CEO of Ollie’s Bargain Outlets, passed away Sunday, the company announced Monday morning.

Butler, 61, died unexpectedly while spending the Thanksgiving holiday with his family, according to the company.

Butler helped found Ollie’s in Cumberland County location in 1982. The company grew to 325 stores in 25 states, reports PennLive.

Board member Richard Zannino said on behalf of the board, “We will dearly miss Mark and extend our heartfelt sympathy and condolences to Mark’s entire family.”

“Mark was an exceptional entrepreneur, merchant, leader, philanthropist, friend and family man,” Zannnino said. “From ringing the first sale in the first Ollie’s store in Mechanicsburg, Pa. in 1982, to leading the company’s highly profitable growth to 345 stores in 25 states, Mark built a successful and enduring retail concept, assembled an incredible team, created thousands of jobs and delivered millions of bargains to our customers, while delivering exceptional shareholder value along the way.”

Butler became president and CEO of Ollie’s in 2003. He was an owner of the Harrisburg Senators and chairman of the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation.

A cause of death was not provided as of Monday morning.

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Geo quick facts: Mechanicsburg is a borough in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, United States, 8 miles west of Harrisburg. It is part of the Harrisburg–Carlisle Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census it had a population of 8,981 – Wikipedia.