Cable innovator Charles Dolan of Cove Neck has died at 98

Charles Dolan, then chairman of Cablevision Systems Corp., speaking to the Long Island Association and the business community at a catering hall in Woodbury, New York, on June 12, 1997. (Photo by Don Jacobsen/Newsday RM via Getty Images)

Charles Dolan, the Cove Neck telecommunications pioneer who pioneered cable television with the founder of Cablevision Systems Corporation and HBO—enterprises that made him a billionaire—died Dec. 28. He was 98 years old.

Born on October 16, 1926 in Cleveland, Ohio, his father David was an inventor and his mother Corrine worked for the Catholic diocese. The US Army Air Forces veteran served in World War II and attended John Carroll University before moving to New York, where he founded Cablevision and Home Box Office, later shortened to HBO, which was the first premium cable channel . He also launched News12, the nation’s first local 24-hour cable news network, and American Movie Classics.

“Remembered as both a pioneer in the television industry and a devoted family man, his legacy will live on,” the Dolan family said in a statement.

Dolan ranked among the richest men in the world with a net worth of $5.4 billion, according to the data. Forbes.

Dolan grew Bethpage-based Cablevision to about 3 million subscribers in the New York metro area, becoming the nation’s fifth-largest cable company. His son James Dolan was CEO from 1995 until European telecommunications giant Altice bought Cablevision for $17 billion in 2016.

In addition to his businesses, Charles was also founder and chairman emeritus of the Lustgarten Foundation, a Uniondale nonprofit that raises funds to help find a cure for pancreatic cancer.

Dolan is survived by his sons James – who owns the New York Knicks, New York Rangers and is CEO of Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. – and Patrick, the owner and publisher News day. He is also survived by his son Thomas Dolan, daughters Marianne Dolan-Weber, Kathleen Dolan and Deborah Dolan-Sweeney, 19 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He is predeceased by his wife of 73 years, Helen Ann Dolan, who died last year.