Marcus, whose philanthropy included founding the Marcus Foundation, helping launch the Georgia Aquarium, and Republican Party fundraising, died Tuesday at 95.

Bernie Marcus has died at age 95. Along with devastation, many tributes have been posted online in honor of Marcus and his legacy with Home Depot

In 1978, he came up with the idea of a warehouse-style store that would appeal to the do-it-yourself homeowner. With a partner’s help it became the world’s largest home-improvement retailer.