Founder of Yankee Candle – CNN



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Kittredge was 67 years old.

He died Wednesday night at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston after a brief illness.

He was surrounded by family and friends, said spokesman Tim O-Brien in a statement.

"A neighbor saw him and convinced Mike to sell him the candle, and with that little stake he bought enough wax to make two candles – one for his mother and another for the sale. is the birth of Yankee Candle, "said Yankee President. The candle website says.

Candles are available at more than 475 corporate owned retail stores and more than 19,000 specialty stores in the United States. The company's flagship store in Deerfield, Mbadachusetts, is a popular tourist destination.

Kittredge sold the company in 1998 and retired.

He loved traveling with his friends and family, the statement said. He has played in bands and recorded music throughout his life.

Kittredge returned to the candle industry in 2010 when he helped his son create Kringle Candle.

In 2012, he suffered a stroke that limited his movements and speech, "but he retaliated in a characteristic manner with courage and endurance," the statement said.

"He switched from guitar to drums in his informal group, made great progress in speech recovery and has always been proud of his home and his property," the statement said. "Above all, Mike's greatest pbadion was spending time with his kids, playing games, watching their videos at home, reviewing his son's last candles, and eating together. "

Kittredge was also known for his philanthropy.

He has survived cancer twice and supported the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. He sat on his board of directors for several years.

He also helped found Kittredge Surgery Center at Cooley-Dickinson Hospital, Kittredge Center at Holyoke Community College, and Kittredge Building at Bement School in Deerfield.

Kittredge is survived by his son and two daughters. No funeral service is planned at the moment.

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