Doug Cashmere, Costello’s Ace executive, dies

Doug Cashmere of Costello’s Ace Hardware died suddenly in his Maryland home on Saturday. The retail leader carried the title of VP Hearth & Spa, Outdoor Living and Acquisitions for the Deer Park, N.Y.-based retail company, Ace’s third largest chain in the U.S.

According to Costello’s Ace Hardware CEO Michael Costello, the company was shocked by his sudden death. Cause of death is unknown.

As a retailer, Cashmere’s impact expanded well beyond those duties described in his title, Michael Costello said. 

“Doug had a keen eye for details and expansive knowledge in negotiations, legal matters, finance, sales, purchasing, marketing, retail execution, HR- virtually everything,” Costello said in a letter to staff. “He worked directly with nearly every support staff member and was a go to for figuring out solutions to complicated problems. He was relentless about getting into stores, a familiar face to nearly every frontline leader and associate.”

According to Ken Goodgame, Costello’s senior VP of marketing and merchandising, Doug Cashmere “touched the lives of everyone at Costello’s, and he was a mentor for a lot of people.”

Costello’s full note to Costello’s Ace Family is attached below.