Toys R Us founder Charles P. Lazarus dies days after store closures announcement

NEW YORK — Charles P. Lazarus, the World War II veteran who founded Toys R Us, has died at age 94, a week after the iconic chain he started six decades ago announced it will shut down its stores across the U.S.

READ MORE: Toys ‘R’ Us to shut down, sell all stores in U.S. after failing to find buyer

Toys R Us confirmed Lazarus’ death in a statement Thursday.

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The statement said, “there have been many sad moments for Toys R Us in recent weeks, and none more heartbreaking than today’s news about the passing of our beloved founder, Charles Lazarus.”

WATCH: Toys R us could start liquidating assets as soon as Thursday

0:32 Toys R us could start liquidating assets as soon as Thursday

Lazarus first opened a baby furniture store in Washington, D.C., in 1948 and opened the first store dedicated only to toys in 1957.

He stepped down as CEO of Toys R Us in 1994.