Romney Mentor, Bain & Co. Founder William Bain Jr. Dies

BOSTON, MA – William Bain Jr., who founded influential Boston-based firms Bain & Company and Bain Capital and mentored 2012 presidential nominee Mitt Romney, died Tuesday at his home in Naples, FL. He was 80.

He is survived by his wife and four children.

A Tennessee native, Bain's first foray into the Boston business world came at Boston Consulting Group under CEO and fellow Vanderbilt alum Bruce Henderson. He struck out on his own in 1973, starting consulting firm Bain & Company and Bain Capital 11 years later.

Romney, who told the Boston Globe, "It’s hard for me to imagine my life and career without Bill Bain’s mentoring," became Bain Capital's top executive.

Read William Bain Jr.'s full obituary, courtesy of Chapman Cole & Gleason Funeral Home.

Image via Chapman Cole & Gleason Funeral Home