Mattel Ex-President Dies at 53

Raymond P. Wagner, former president of the toy division of Hawthorne-based Mattel Inc., died in New York City after suffering a massive stroke, colleagues said Monday. He was 53.

Wagner, who became Mattel Toys’ president in 1973, left the company in 1983 to form his own consulting firm, Wagner Associates. His primary client was Hasbro-Bradley Inc. He also served as vice chairman of that firm’s board of directors.

Wagner, a past president of the Toy Manufacturers of America Inc., an industry trade group, suffered the stroke last Thursday while attending the annual Toy Fair in New York. He died Saturday at Bellevue Hospital.

Wagner, of Rolling Hills Estates, is survived by his wife, Carol, and three sons: Steve of Los Angeles, Chris of Philadelphia and Dan of San Diego.

A funeral service has been scheduled for 3 p.m. Friday at the Neighborhood Church, Palos Verdes Estates. The family has requested that donations, in lieu of flowers, be sent to the Raymond P. Wagner Scholarship Fund, in care of the Toy Manufacturers Assn., 200 5th Ave., New York, N.Y., 10010.