ATLANTA — Family, friends and colleagues gathered Thursday to honor Bernie Marcus, the billionaire co-founder of The Home Depot whose philanthropy left a major impact on Atlanta civic life, from the city's Jewish community to numerous medical institutions to the Georgia Aquarium.
Marcus, who, with Arthur Blank, co-founded The Home Depot in 1978, died Tuesday at the age of 95.
His services were held at The Temple on Peachtree Street. Among the speakers were Blank, other Home Depot executives and founding figures, and Marcus' son and stepson.
"He was a mega humanitarian. Bernie is the true textbook definition of a humanitarian. With over billions of dollars in countless... giving Bernie and Billi's heart for our city and our state and humanity across the globe has been unmistakable and unshakeable," Blank said at the service.
He said Marcus' legacy will continue to live on.
"He lived a life with a giving, serving spirit and a selfless soul that will always be reflected in the millions, millions of lives he touched in more ways than any of us can fully comprehend or imagine."
Flags were also flying at half-staff at the Georgia Capitol and around Fulton County on Thursday in honor of Marcus by order of Gov. Brian Kemp. The governor, who also attended the service, described him as an American legend.
"We were blessed to know Bernie and his family," he said. "And we were blessed to know a man of great vision, but also generosity."
Marcus' family said he loved medical research, Israel and Jewish causes, and veterans. So, in lieu of flowers, the family asked for donations to the following organizations:
- RootOne
- Avalon Action Alliance
- Marcus Autism Center
- Marcus Stroke and Neuroscience Center at Grady
- Marcus Neuroscience Institute at Boca Raton Regional Hospital
- Israel Democracy Institute
- Marcus National Blood Services Center
More on Bernie Marcus
Also known later in life for his political activity as a Republican Party megadonor, Marcus was The Home Depot's chairman until his retirement in 2002.
He was born in New Jersey, the son of Russian immigrants, and his opportunity did not come easily or early. He was 49 years old in 1978 when he lost his job as CEO of Handy Dan Home Improvement Centers.
However, his next step would change the home improvement business by creating a huge warehouse-style store that stocked everything at low prices. Just months later, Bernie and Arthur Blank moved to Atlanta and founded The Home Depot with help from friend and investment banker Ken Langone. Now, almost 50 years later, The Home Depot is a world-class Fortune 500 company.
He didn't stop there. His success in business carried over to philanthropy. Since its founding in 1989, The Marcus Foundation has given over $2.7 billion through more than 3,500 grants, transforming hundreds of organizations in Georgia.
On Tuesday, Blank issued a statement on the passing of his friend: "I am heartbroken at the passing of my dearest friend, Bernie Marcus. Today, I’ve lost a father figure, mentor, brother and business and life partner. While this loss is profoundly painful, I am grateful for the close to 60 years we spent together, navigating challenges and celebrating successes, and I am honored to have been part of Bernie’s remarkable life."
The Home Depot also issued a statement saying the company family was "deeply saddened by the death of our co-founder Bernie Marcus."
"We owe an immeasurable debt of gratitude to Bernie. He was a master merchant and a retail visionary. But even more importantly, he valued our associates, customers and communities above all. He’s left us with an invaluable legacy and the backbone of our company: our values," the statement said. "We offer our sincere condolences to his wife, Billi, and the entire family. He will be missed."
Gov. Kemp called him an "icon of the business world who created jobs and opportunity for generations of The Home Depot employees" whose "considerable philanthropy will also reverberate through history, touching lives for the better."
Marcus' name is seen all over metro Atlanta. The Marcus Community Bridge program at Shepherd Center, the CDC Marcus Emergency Operations Center, the Marcus Stroke Center at Grady Memorial Hospital, and the Marcus Autism Center are all among the medical institutions bearing his imprint.
Marcus donated to several charities and Jewish organizations, and a $250 million grant helped open the Georgia Aquarium in 2005.
"People often ask me why the Foundation exists," a statement on the Marcus Foundation website by foundation President Jay Kaiman says. " This is really the most amazing story—the Foundation is an extension of their character and core beliefs. The Marcus Foundation represents who and what Bernie is all about; it’s a living testament to Bernie’s values."