By Mike Caputo
Modell, who was widely known as Bill, was described by friends and family as a retail icon who also gave back to the community.
Alongside his father, Henry, Modell expanded his family¹s small chain of four sporting good stores into a regional retail giant. Under his leadership, Modell¹s Sporting Goods grew to 136 locations on the East Coast.
³He was a titan in the retail business in this region,² said Bruce Blakeman, a former presiding officer in the Nassau County Legislature and a longtime friend of the Modells.
In addition to success as a businessman, Modell and his wife of 59 years, Shelby, were instrumental in transforming the historical Hewlett House into the headquarters of 1 in 9, a support organization for breast cancer patients and their families.
For 40 years, Modell raised millions of dollars for medical research focused on finding a cure for Crohn¹s disease. The Modells¹ son, Michael, died in 2001 after a long battle with the disease. Bill and Shelby were dedicated to other philanthropic efforts as well: He founded the American Digestive Disease Society, and was a co-founder of the Crohn¹s and Colitis Foundation of America and Gilda¹s Club New York.
Modell also formed the Long Island Chapter of the Young President¹s Organization and was a founding patron of the Metropolitan Opera House and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.
In a tribute to her husband, Shelby Modell wrote that he served in the Army¹s Ninth Air Corps during World War II, as a member of President Jimmy Carter¹s negotiation committee for the Panama Canal Treaty, and as commissioner of public affairs under former New York City Mayor Abe Beame.
Shelby Modell emphasized her husband¹s caring attitude. ³Though he met world leaders, celebrities and many of America¹s greatest athletes, he was at heart a down-to-earth man, who cared deeply about his family, friends, and employees,² she wrote. ³A humble and gentle man, he helped countless individuals in their time of need.²
Modell, the son of Henry and Rose Modell, was born on May 13, 1921, in Manhattan Beach. He attended Peeksville Military Academy and New York University.
In addition to his wife, Modell is survived by his children, Leslie and Mitchell; daughters-in-law, Abby and Robin; a sister and brother-in-law, Doris and Norman Tipograph; and grandchildren, Shawn, Alex, Andrew, Ashley, Melissa, Brittany, Ashley, Matthew and Maxwell.
A service for Modell was held on Feb. 17 at Temple Emanu-El in New York.
