Photo Courtesy of NHL
Former New York Islanders owner Charles Wang.
By Michael V. Cusenza
Charles Wang, a tech entrepreneur, former majority owner of the New York Islanders, and philanthropist, died on Sunday in Oyster Bay, L.I. He was 74.
Wang was born in Shanghai, China. His family immigrated to Queens when he was 8 years old. Wang attended Brooklyn Tech High School and earned a bachelor of science degree from Queens College.
According to Queens College President Feliz Matos Rodriguez, Wang visited the campus this past year to talk to computer science students as part of the school’s Professionals on Campus Series.
“Our condolences are extended to his beloved family on their untimely loss, along with our deepest pride and appreciation in recognizing his many contributions to knowledge and to our greater society,” Matos Rodriguez said.
After starting Computer Associates International, Inc., in 1976 with fellow Queens College alumnus Russell Artzt, Wang became known as one of the most successful leaders in the technology field over the past four decades, according to the Islanders public relations staff. His two books, Technovision (1994) and Technovision II (1997), became leading guides for businesses seeking to parallel their organizational and technology goals. He continued his commitment to technological advancement and has been instrumental in the development and growth of several technology companies in the United States and China.
In 2000, with the Isles facing an uncertain future, Wang was asked to purchase the team. He quickly agreed to do so, in recognition of the team’s importance to Long Island, despite having previously attended only one hockey game. He was the majority owner until 2016, when he became a minority co-owner.
“Charles Wang was a great man,” Islanders President and General Manager Lou Lamoriello said. “He always spoke of his love for the Long Island community and the passionate fan base. Long Island would not have a team if it were not for Charles. Most importantly, we’ve all lost a great friend. Our deepest sympathies to his wife Nancy and children Kimberly, Jasmine, and Cameron.”
Islanders co-owner Jon Ledecky added, “We are heartbroken by the news of Charles Wang’s passing. New York Islanders co-owners Dewey Shay, Scott Malkin and I were privileged to be selected by Charles to be his partners in the team. Charles loved the Islanders unconditionally. The arena at Belmont Park will be just one of his many legacies left to the team and to Long Island. His unique personality, his wonderful sense of humor and his extraordinary wisdom will be greatly missed.”
His success in the business world, as well as the sports world, allowed Wang to support many charitable foundations. Among those was the expansion of the Charles B. Wang Community Health Center in New York City, which offers primary care, women’s health, pediatrics, dental, health education and mental health services to the Flushing and Chinatown communities. He made a contribution to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to establish the Charles B. Wang International Children’s Building, which serves as the organization’s headquarters in Alexandria, VA. Wang’s gift of more than $50 million to Stony Brook University to construct the Charles B. Wang Center was the largest private gift in the history of the State University of New York. The Center celebrates Asian and American cultures.
