Philanthropist, Buisnessman and Islanders minority owner, Charles B. Wang passed away today.
Wang, 74, was
surrounded by family at the time of his passing. The official cause of his
death has not been disclosed at this time. (Lung Cancer)
A Long Island icon, Charles Wang founded CA Technologies and was the former majority
owner of our New York Islanders. Wang was the only reason the team still calls
New York home from the time he purchased the storied franchise in 2000 through
the lease deal in Brooklyn at the Barclays Center. Wang made it a point to keep
the sacred storied logo, colors of the team and wanted to maintain the identity
of the Island and their championship tradition.
“Wang was
born in Shanghai, China, on Aug. 19, 1944, and moved to the United States
with his family at the age of 8. He attended Brooklyn Technical High School and
graduated from Queens College with a Bachelor of Science degree in
mathematics and physics. In 2015, he received an honorary doctorate in humane
letters from Stony Brook University.
He built and
donated the Charles B. Wang Center at Stony Brook University to celebrate Asian
and American cultures. The $40 million center, which opened in 2002, was
at the time the recipient of the largest donation from an individual to the
SUNY system.”
The crusade
of Charles Wang to develop the Coliseum hub and create a destination for the
team is well documented. He maintained ownership while losing money from inheriting
a bad partnership with SMG management and always did his best to try and revive
a struggling team without knowing much about the world of NHL hockey. He even sponsored
teams, tournaments and helped gain greater exposure for the game of hockey in
China.
"We want to make the New York Islanders
the world-class sports franchise that our community deserves, wants and
needs," Wang said in April of 2000. "This is no easy task." -
Newsday
In 2016,
Wang remained with the organization as minority owner behind new ownership
headed by Scott Malkin and John Ledecky. Wang was the champion fans of the team
needed at the time he stepped up and became a part of the team’s future in New
York.
"He
treasured his association with the team and its devoted fans.’ the statement from
Wang's family said of his relationship with the Islanders.
Wang is
survived by his wife Nancy Li; children Kimberly, Jasmine and Cameron; his
mother, Mary; brothers, Anthony and Francis; grandchildren, Charles,
Kingsley and Kendall; and his nieces and a nephew. He was preceded in death by
his father, Kenneth.” -Newsday
The Charles
B. Wang International Foundation has directed his philanthropic efforts since
2008. He seemed to always care about children all over the world who didn’t have
the means or opportunity for healthcare, surgery and he made it his mission to
provide the help he was able to provide.
“He founded
the nonprofit Smile Train in 1999, which has provided more than 1 million free
cleft surgeries to children in more than 85 developing countries. In 2001,
he established the New York Islanders Children's Foundation and supported the
Charles B. Wang Community Health Center to expand delivery of affordable health
care in New York City.
The National
Center for Missing and Exploited Children named its headquarters for Wang. He
also supported the Kenneth Wang School of Law at Suzhou University, named for
his father, and other charities.” - Newsday
Thank you Mr. Wang.
R.I.P.
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