Marineland owner and founder’s wife dies: Niagara Falls park announces

The owner and wife of Marineland founder has died.

Marie Holer, wife of Marineland’s founder, John Holer, has died, the park said in a brief statement Friday.

“Her grace, kindness, and unwavering support were integral to the fabric of Marineland’s legacy,” the statement read.

John Holer, an immigrant from Slovenia, founded Marineland in Niagara Falls in 1961. Holer died in 2018.

Marineland said the park remains under strong leadership.

“Our founder, anticipating life’s uncertainties, had put in place a robust succession plan to ensure the continuity of our operations,” the statement said. “All our projects are progressing as planned.”

In early 2023, Marineland announced it was seeking new ownership to help transition the park into its future phase.

This year, the park indicated it was gearing up for significant changes under new ownership, focusing on its primary attractions and experiences this season.

The park has also faced animal cruelty allegations and was found guilty of three charges related to its care of three black bears.

Park officials asked people to respect Marineland employees’ privacy at this difficult time, understanding that many have known Marie Holer for decades and the loss affects each of them personally.