Watch CBS News

Longtime Menards Spokesperson Dies At 91, Family Says

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Ray Szmanda, who many in the Midwest recognize from his commercials for Menards hardware stores, has died at the age of 91, family members report.

Szmanda's joviality as the company spokesperson was the focus of countless commercials for more than two decades, capped off with the jingle refrain of "Save big money at Menards."

Szmanda's son reported his father's passing in a Facebook post on Sunday.

Ray Szmanda was a man who I was proud to call my dad. He passed away on May 6. He was 91. I think he would have liked...

Posted by Charles Szmanda on Sunday, May 6, 2018

About his role in the commercials, Szmanda once said: "It's like having a hit record because it says what everybody wants to hear me say, 'Save Big Money At Menards!'"

Szmanda lived in Antigo, Wis.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.