William Modell dead at 86

NEW YORK Modell's Sporting Goods chairman William Modell passed away Thursday from complications of prostate cancer at the age of 86.

Modell began working at Modell's, which has been owned by his family for 118 years, in the 1940s and became chairman in 1985. During his career, Modell helped lead the chain's expansion in the Northeast. Today there are 136 Modell's stores and the company generated about $635 million in revenue last year.

According to reports, William Modell helped grow the business by buying locations from struggling competitors.

Modell is survived by his wife and two children. His son, Mitchell Modell, is president of the company.

Besides his wife, the former Shelby Zaldin, he is survived by his sister, Doris Tipograph of Hewlett Harbor; a daughter, Leslie Modell, of Manhattan; a son, Mitchell, of Alpine, N.J., who is president of the company, and nine grandchildren.