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 on July 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 an industry powerhouse. Under his stewardship, Hasbro acquired Tonka Parker Kenner bringing iconic brands Play-Doh, Monopoly, and Nerf into its portfolio and elevating it to #169 on the Fortune 500.

Hassenfeld’s true legacy, however, lies in his profound humanitarian spirit. He championed corporate social responsibility, product safety, and he worked to eliminate the use of child labor in toy industry manufacturing. 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 million personal donation. In 2008, he established the Hassenfeld Family Initiatives, supporting countless causes focused on children, education, health, and social justice worldwide. His guiding principle was simple yet profound: "Bring sunshine where there’s darkness."

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

Hassenfeld was also a civic force. He founded "Right Now!", a successful Rhode Island ethics and campaign finance reform movement. He fostered a culture of giving at Hasbro, pioneering employee volunteer programs like "Team Hasbro" and "Global Day of Joy."

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

Tributes poured in from global leaders, colleagues, and beneficiaries.

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

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

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

Alan Hassenfeld is survived by his wife, Vivien; stepchildren Karim and Leila Azar; sister Ellen Block; nieces Susan Block Casdin 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 10:00 am at Temple Beth-El, 70 Orchard Avenue, Providence, RI. Private burial to follow.

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

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

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

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

 

Additional tributes:

“Alan had a life-long commitment to making things better for children, whom he called  ‘our most important natural resource,’ ” said Elizabeth Burke Bryant, Professor of the Practice, Brown School of Public Health/Hassenfeld Child Health Innovation Institute, and former executive director of Rhode Island KIDS COUNT. “His sense of urgency - that all kids deserve a high quality education, access to health care, and opportunities to discover their talents and reach their full potential -- never wavered, When an opportunity arose to make a difference for kids, he leapt into action, such as when he joined with others to successfully advocate for the Children's Health Insurance Program to be reauthorized by Congress so coverage wouldn't lapse. He said then that ‘children cannot Wait’, which sums up his purpose and his passion 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,” said Neil Steinberg, former head of the Rhode Island Foundation and former chair of the Rhode Island Life Science Hub. “His empathy, commitment, and generosity leave an amazing legacy! He also epitomized the slogan “every boy loves a Hasbro toy.”

May Liang, president of the China Toy and Juvenile Products Association, was another who paid tribute to Hassenfeld, saying: “Alan was a great industry leader with global vision, pioneering spirit and unwavering dedication. 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 of advisor and friend for myself.”

“Alan's life and legacy was marked by a deep and profound dedication to bringing smiles and hope to the world's children,” said Kathrin Belliveau, Chief Policy for The Toy Association, the industry organization. “As CEO and a business leader, he pioneered the idea of corporate social responsibility, rooted in a deep and unwavering belief that businesses must operate responsibly from producing products of the highest quality and safety for children to ensuring supply chains were upholding human rights and eradicating child labor and forced labor.”

 “Alan's passion, heart, and visionary leadership have left a lasting mark on the toy world and beyond,” said Dan Klingensmith, G.I. Joe historian, archivist and author. “I’ll never forget the experience 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, leaving everyone in the room inspired. Beyond the toys, Alan’s work with Hasbro Children’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 not about me, it is about Alan,” said Karen McKay Davis, president of Hasbro’s Children’s Fund during Hassenfeld’s tenure. “So many things keep coming to mind, we were one of the first companies to launch an employee volunteer program, giving employees 4 hours a month of paid time off to volunteer with children. We did this with Alan under Colin Powell and America's Promise. Team Hasbro went on to be one of the most successful corporate volunteer programs with over 95% of our employees engaged in the community. It led to Global Day of Joy where employees worldwide would volunteer together in their communities, bringing joy to children in need. It created an amazing culture. All because Alan believed in the power of service and a true culture of giving.”

The Toy Association stated: “As the former CEO and Chairman of Hasbro, Inc., Alan was a visionary and passionate leader in the toy industry. He was the past chairperson of The Toy Association, chairperson of the Toy Industry Hall of Fame committee, and himself a distinguished Toy Association Hall of Fame inductee. Alan’s impact was far-reaching and global, extending beyond his role at Hasbro. From his tireless work championing ethical sourcing to his unwavering advocacy for children’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 Hasbro community is mourning the loss of Alan Hassenfeld—our beloved former Chairman and CEO, a cherished mentor, and dear friend. Alan's enormous heart was, and will remain, the guiding force behind Hasbro - compassionate, imaginative, and dedicated to bringing a smile to the face of every child around the world. His tireless advocacy for philanthropy, children's welfare, and the toy industry created a legacy that will inspire us always. While we grieve deeply, we also celebrate Alan's remarkable life and the incredible impact he made. Our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, and everyone who had the privilege of knowing and loving him.”

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

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

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