Harris Rosen obit

Rosen Hotels & Resorts founder and Orlando philanthropist passes away at 85-years-old

 

He was not on the list.

ORLANDO, Fla. - Harris Rosen, a beloved philanthropist and hospitality industry leader in Central Florida and beyond, died Monday morning at the age of 85, his family announced.

Rosen passed away surrounded by family and loved ones, the family said in a statement.

Describing him as "an angel to so many here on earth," they noted his lifelong dedication to underserved communities, education, health, and cancer research.

Born in New York City in 1939, Rosen rose to prominence as the founder of Rosen Hotels & Resorts, a company that has grown to include multiple properties in Orlando.

Beyond his business accomplishments, Rosen became a pillar of the community through his philanthropic work.

His flagship initiative, the Tangelo Park Program, provided free preschool, full college scholarships, and family support services to residents of a low-income Orlando neighborhood.

The program was widely praised as a model for tackling systemic poverty and increasing educational opportunities.

In 2016, he expanded the program to the Parramore community.

Rosen’s contributions also extended to healthcare, including funding the Rosen Medical Center for his employees and donating millions to cancer research and wellness initiatives.

The Rosen family will hold a private Celebration of Life and has requested privacy during this difficult time.

Rosen was born in 1939 in Manhattan to Jack and Lee Rosen. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University School of Hotel Administration in 1961. He then served in the United States Army for three years in Germany and South Korea becoming a first lieutenant. Rosen, a descendant of Russian Jewish immigrants, has devoted significant resources to the local Jewish community, donating to and renaming the Jack and Lee Rosen Southwest Orlando Jewish Community Center in 2015.

Rosen began his career at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City as a convention salesman. He also worked at other hotels including various Hilton Hotels and the New Yorker Hotel. Rosen eventually joined the Walt Disney Company as director of hotel planning.

During the height of the 1973 oil crisis, Rosen left Disney and purchased his first hotel, a Quality Inn on International Drive in Southwest Orlando (Orange County; now Rosen Inn International).[1] To market his hotel during this period, Rosen hitchhiked to New England and met with several motor coach companies to gain their Central Florida business. (At the end of one trip, one company offered him a return trip ride with a couple traveling to Florida, if he would provide them accommodations there). That purchase marked the beginning of Rosen Hotels & Resorts.

In 2006, Rosen opened the 1501-room Rosen Shingle Creek, an AAA Four Diamond hotel, his first resort.

In October 2017, Rosen purchased the Clarion International Drive and the Red Roof Inn International Drive. The next year, he consolidated both hotels under the Midpointe Hotel name, bringing the total number of hotels owned to currently (2019) eight, all in Orlando.

The company's other hotels include: the 1334-room Rosen Centre and the 800-room Rosen Plaza, both connected to the Orange County Convention Center's West Building, Rosen Inn closest to Universal, Rosen Inn at Pointe Orlando, and Rosen Inn International. All are located on International Drive. The Clarion Inn Lake Buena Vista is located next to Walt Disney World. Rosen Hotels & Resorts owns and operates eight hotels and resorts in the Orlando metropolitan area. The company administers 6,694 guestrooms, has 4,500 employees, and is valued at over $500 million.