Alan Hassenfeld's obituary, as published by Sugarman Sinai Memorial Chapel. Additional tributes follow after the end.

 

This is Alan’s obituary, as published by Sugarman Sinai MemorialChapel. Additional tributes follow after the end.

Alan G. Hassenfeld, former Chairman and CEO of Hasbro,Inc., and a global philanthropist, passed away peacefully in his sleep onJuly 9, 2025, in London. He was 76.

Born November 16, 1948, into the founding family of Hasbro,Hassenfeld became CEO in 1989 following the untimely death of his brother,Stephen. Though initially reluctant to lead, he transformed the company into anindustry powerhouse. Under his stewardship, Hasbro acquired Tonka Parker Kennerbringing iconic brands Play-Doh, Monopoly, and Nerf into its portfolio andelevating it to #169 on the Fortune 500.

Hassenfeld’s true legacy, however, lies in his profoundhumanitarian spirit. He championed corporate social responsibility, productsafety, and he worked to eliminate the use of child labor in toy industrymanufacturing. His compassion was most vividly expressed through philanthropy.He spearheaded the founding of Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence (1994),a landmark achievement funded partly by his leadership and a $2.5 millionpersonal donation. In 2008, he established the Hassenfeld Family Initiatives,supporting countless causes focused on children, education, health, and socialjustice worldwide. His guiding principle was simple yet profound: "Bringsunshine where there’s darkness."

Dr. Ashish Jha of Brown University School of Public Health,home to the Hassenfeld Child Health Innovation Initiative noted that "Hepushed us to make sure our work was relevant to the people of this state andconstantly focused on impact, an extremely funny and warm person. Personally, Iwill miss his late-night phone calls railing against the injustices of theworld and ask what we were doing to make things better. His passing is a hugeloss to the world.”

Hassenfeld was also a civic force. He founded "RightNow!", a successful Rhode Island ethics and campaign finance reformmovement. He fostered a culture of giving at Hasbro, pioneering employeevolunteer programs like "Team Hasbro" and "Global Day ofJoy."

Alfred J. Verrecchia, former Hasbro chairman and CEO and alongtime friend of Hassenfeld. “He devoted himself to making the world a betterplace. He was happiest when he was helping people. He wasn’t afraid to put hisname and reputation on the line for something he believed.”

Tributes poured in from global leaders, colleagues, andbeneficiaries.

Rabbi Leslie Y. Gutterman said "He gave generously andselflessly of his time, his treasure and his love.”

The Toy Association hailed his "visionary andpassionate leadership" and tireless advocacy for children.

Hasbro stated his "enormous heart" remains thecompany's guiding force.

Alan Hassenfeld is survived by his wife, Vivien;stepchildren Karim and Leila Azar; sister Ellen Block; nieces Susan BlockCasdin and Laurie Block; nephew Michael Block; grandchildren Chloe, Talullah,Kaia, and Khalil; and grand-nephews Kinsey and Blaisdell Casdin.

Funeral services will be this Sunday, July 20, 2025 at 10:00am at Temple Beth-El, 70 Orchard Avenue, Providence, RI. Private burial tofollow.

For those unable to attend services in person, you may joinvia livestream at https://www.temple-beth-el.org/live-s...

In lieu of flowers, donations in Alan’s memory may be madeto Hasbro Children’s Hospital – Greatest Needs Fund or The Miriam Hospital –Centennial Campaign Fund. Both can be accessed athttps://giving.brownhealth.org/Hassen...

An irreplaceable loss to Rhode Island, the toy industry, andthe world’s children, Alan Hassenfeld’s legacy of compassion, innovation, andjoyful generosity will endure.

Arrangements are in the care of Sugarman-Sinai MemorialChapel, Providence, R.I.

 

Additional tributes:

“Alan had alife-long commitment to making things better for children, whom he called  ‘our most important natural resource,’ ” saidElizabeth Burke Bryant, Professor of the Practice, Brown School of PublicHealth/Hassenfeld Child Health Innovation Institute, and former executivedirector of Rhode Island KIDS COUNT. “His sense of urgency - that all kidsdeserve a high quality education, access to health care, and opportunities todiscover their talents and reach their full potential -- never wavered, When anopportunity arose to make a difference for kids, he leapt into action, such aswhen he joined with others to successfully advocate for the Children's HealthInsurance Program to be reauthorized by Congress so coverage wouldn't lapse. Hesaid then that ‘children cannot Wait’, which sums up his purpose and hispassion for the children of Rhode Island, the nation, and the world.”

Alan with Mr. Potato Head - Photo by G. Wayne Miller

“Alan was a pillar of the local and world community,” saidNeil Steinberg, former head of the Rhode Island Foundation and former chair ofthe Rhode Island Life Science Hub. “His empathy, commitment, and generosityleave an amazing legacy! He also epitomized the slogan “every boy loves aHasbro toy.”

May Liang, president of the China Toy and Juvenile ProductsAssociation, was another who paid tribute to Hassenfeld, saying: “Alan was agreat industry leader with global vision, pioneering spirit and unwaveringdedication. I can strongly feel he always had passion with the toy industry.Alan's pass away is not only a loss of toy industry [but] also a loss ofadvisor and friend for myself.”

“Alan's lifeand legacy was marked by a deep and profound dedication to bringing smiles andhope to the world's children,” said Kathrin Belliveau, Chief Policy for TheToy Association, the industry organization. “As CEO and a business leader, he pioneered the idea of corporatesocial responsibility, rooted in adeep and unwavering belief that businesses must operate responsibly fromproducing products of the highest quality and safety for children to ensuringsupply chains were upholding human rights and eradicating child labor andforced labor.”

 “Alan's passion, heart, and visionaryleadership have left a lasting mark on the toy world and beyond,” said DanKlingensmith, G.I. Joe historian, archivist and author. “I’ll never forget theexperience of having Alan speak at our VIP event during HASCON. His warmth,humor, and love for G.I. Joe came through in every story he shared, leavingeveryone in the room inspired. Beyond the toys, Alan’s work with HasbroChildren’s Hospital shows just how deeply he cared about making a difference.He was more than a business leader—he was a true example of kindness,generosity, and heart."

“This is notabout me, it is about Alan,” said Karen McKay Davis, president of Hasbro’sChildren’s Fund during Hassenfeld’s tenure. “So many things keep coming tomind, we were one of the first companies to launch an employee volunteerprogram, giving employees 4 hours a month of paid time off to volunteer withchildren. We did this with Alan under Colin Powell and America's Promise. TeamHasbro went on to be one of the most successful corporate volunteer programswith over 95% of our employees engaged in the community. It led to Global Dayof Joy where employees worldwide would volunteer together in their communities,bringing joy to children in need. It created an amazing culture. All becauseAlan believed in the power of service and a true culture of giving.”

The Toy Association stated: “As the former CEO and Chairmanof Hasbro, Inc., Alan was a visionary and passionate leader in the toyindustry. He was the past chairperson of The Toy Association, chairperson ofthe Toy Industry Hall of Fame committee, and himself a distinguished Toy AssociationHall of Fame inductee. Alan’simpact was far-reaching and global, extending beyond his role at Hasbro. Fromhis tireless work championing ethical sourcing to his unwavering advocacy forchildren’s rights and philanthropy during times of crisis and profound need,his legacy will continue to inspire us all for generations to come.”

Alan in his office - Photo by G. Wayne Miller
Hasbro issued this statement: “Today, the entire Hasbrocommunity is mourning the loss of Alan Hassenfeld—our beloved former Chairmanand CEO, a cherished mentor, and dear friend. Alan's enormous heart was, andwill remain, the guiding force behind Hasbro - compassionate, imaginative, anddedicated to bringing a smile to the face of every child around the world. Histireless advocacy for philanthropy, children's welfare, and the toy industrycreated a legacy that will inspire us always. While we grieve deeply, we alsocelebrate Alan's remarkable life and the incredible impact he made. Our deepestcondolences go out to his family, friends, and everyone who had the privilegeof knowing and loving him.”

Said Hassenfeld biographer G. Wayne Miller: “RIP Alan,philanthropist, benefactor and corporate leader during his many years aschairman and CEO of Hasbro. He was a uniquely great man and dear friend of morethan 30 years who cared deeply for others and did all he could to improve livesin Rhode Island and across the country and globe.”

During a public forum in 2018, Hassenfeld was asked aboutthe guiding principle behind his philanthropy.

“That’s easy,” he said. “Any time any of us sees a childwho’s not smiling, who’s going through problems—if we're able to turn thatgrimace into a smile, that makes your heart just absolutely feel so good. Whatmakes me happiest is trying to be creative in philanthropy and trying to makesure that we're making a difference because too often I think we give but wedon't think necessarily what the end goal is going to be. And so for me, theend goal is how do we bring sunshine where there’s darkness.”