On October 9th 2023, Charles Feeney passed away. Many Cornellians have likely heard or seen the last name ‘Feeney’ during their time at Cornell. We all know Feeney Way (formerly “East Avenue”), the street which runs down the middle of campus– between the Arts Quad and the hotel school, and many have seen the signs along the path that tell of “‘Chuck’s” life.
Feeney was born on April 23, 1931 and grew up as a middle child in Elizabeth, N.J to an Irish Catholic working class family. Growing up, Feeney was a burgeoning entrepreneur. In his childhood he went door to door offering snow-shoveling services and selling Christmas cards. In college, he became known as “the sandwich man” by his classmates due to a successful sandwich business he started as a freshman.
After high school, Feeney enlisted in the Air Force and became a radio officer stationed in Japan. With support from the G.I. Bill Feeney enrolled in Cornell’s School of Hotel Administration.
After his time at Cornell, Feeney moved to France and enrolled in a graduate program in political science at Université Grenoble. During his time in France, Feeney started a summer camp for American sailors’ children who were stationed overseas.
It was to these same sailors that Feeney would begin his business of selling duty-free items with a Cornell colleague Robert Warren Miller. The company, Duty Free Shoppers, became extremely profitable, expanding into airports around the world, eventually becoming the one of the largest sellers of luxury goods in the world.
Feeney’s newfound wealth exposed him to a world of luxury, which failed to entice him. In 1982, he founded Atlantic Philanthropies by selling shares in Duty Free Shoppers. He used Atlantic Philanthropies to anonymously donate his gifts. By 2016, all the money in the fund had been given away. Feeney’s donations were kept anonymous until Duty Free Shoppers was bought by Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy, and his name was revealed.
Feeney’s fund has donated over $1 billion dollars to Cornell since its founding in 1982. He has even been credited as “Cornell’s third founder” by President Frank H.T. Rhodes. Some notable Cornell donations include a $350 million grant to fund Cornell Tech and its permanent endowment, Cornell Tradition and its endowment, and other support related to campus life. Feeney and his organization gave over $7 billion dollars, which has had an impact all around the world.
The news of Charles Feeney’s death brings into light something we all should contemplate: our life’s impact. No matter how much money, fame, or power we accumulate during their lifetime, after we ourselves pass, all will eventually be forgotten. We are remembered for our impact on those around us, especially whether we helped our fellow man.
Feeney understood this, and he gave everything back in his lifetime. By doing so, his impact will be long lasting and immense. We should aspire to do the same, and hope his life inspires every Cornellian who comes across wealth.
