Harris Rosen, founder of Orlando-based Rosen Hotels & Resorts, died Monday at age 85.
Rosen is known for his philanthropy, such as the Rosen Gives Back Program and the Harris Rosen Foundation, and for his leadership in the hospitality industry.
“As a beloved father, grandfather and pillar of our community, his boundless generosity and love were demonstrated through his unwavering commitment to helping underserved communities, promoting education, advancing the fight against cancer, and supporting health and wellness,” the company said. and health care programs, touching countless lives.
Meeting planner clients posted on social media that he was a kind, friendly and true gentleman.
“I had the pleasure of having breakfast with him and the sales team,” one planner said. “He was humble, funny, a philanthropist (he adopted an entire community), loved and cared about his employees, and ran his business without debt.”
“I remember a field trip to Rosen Shingle Creek and he was with me every step of the way and made it so personable and fun,” said another.
Rosen was born in New York City. He often spoke of the day he met Marilyn Monroe in an elevator at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel where his father worked, the beginning of his career in the hospitality industry.
“I thought, if I could meet all these incredible people in an elevator, this would be a business I might actually enjoy,” he said.
After working at Disney, he decided to buy a Quality Inn motel on International Drive, and that was the beginning of his hotel empire. Today, Rosen Hotels & Resorts has seven hotels with more than 6,600 rooms and 4,500 employees.
Rosen is passionate about making education accessible to all. His foundation provides free tuition, boarding fees and books so that high school seniors living in Tangelo Park and Parramore can attend any Florida college of their choice. The foundation also administers the University of Central Florida School of Hospitality Scholarships and the Rosen Hotels and Resorts Family Scholarship Program.
The Rosen family will hold a private celebration of life at a future date, the statement said.
