In memory of Harris Rosen

Most comfortable in jeans and a polo shirt in his younger years and casual slacks and button-down shirts later in life, Harris Rosen's appearance might not have been the image of a wealthy hotelier and philanthropist, but it did reflect the soft-spoken and unassuming man he was. The Central Florida community lost this "hotel titan" on Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, when he passed away surrounded by his family and friends.

Frank Santos, Rosen Hotels and Resorts vice president, released the following statement:

"On behalf of the Rosen family, it is with profound sadness that I announce the passing of Harris Rosen, who left us this morning at the age of 85, surrounded by family and loved ones. Harris was an angel to so many here on earth, and now he takes his place among the angels in heaven. A beloved father, grandfather, and a pillar of our community, his boundless generosity and love touched countless lives through his unwavering commitment to helping underserved communities, promoting education, advancing the fight against cancer, and supporting health and wellness initiatives. The family will hold a private Celebration of Life and kindly asks for privacy during this difficult time. Thank you."

Best known for the eight award-winning hotels he owned in Central Florida, he was a true believer in hard work and determination. He passed this work ethic on to those he employed and those he helped through his philanthropic projects.

Born in Manhattan, N.Y., Sept. 9, 1939, to Jack and Lee Rosen, he began his career after earning a degree in hotel management from Cornell University in 1961. He served in the United States Army for three years in Germany and South Korea becoming a first lieutenant. Rosen began his hotel career as a file clerk in human resources at the Waldorf Astoria in New York. He also worked at other hotels including various Hilton Hotels and the New Yorker Hotel. Moving to Orlando in 1968, he became director of Hotel Planning at Disney World in Orlando where he helped develop the first two hotels on Disney property - the Polynesian Village Hotel and the Contemporary.

In 1973 Rosen left Disney and purchased his first hotel, a Quality Inn (now Rosen Inn International) on International Drive in Southwest Orlando. To market his product, Rosen hitchhiked to New England and met with several motor coach companies to gain their Central Florida business. Forty-five years later, Rosen became Florida's largest independent hotelier with more than 4,500 associates serving guests at his eight Orlando hotels. Rosen also provided his employees their own healthcare system.

Rosen's philanthropy fulfills his inner voice that drives his greater purpose: a passion for sharing his blessings with others. Rosen's best-known local projects include adopting the neighborhood of Tangelo Park, a small community that he has supported through free universal preschool, parenting resources, college scholarships, and recreational opportunities.

Explaining why he started the Tangelo Park Program in 1993 he said, "Epiphany might be too strong of a word ... it was more of a voice. A feeling that 'now is the time.' You've achieved more success than you ever imagined. It's time now to recognize that you've been blessed ... to be thankful and to share your good fortune with others."

The program was so successful, Rosen started a similar program to benefit the Parramore District near downtown Orlando.

In November 2017, Rosen announced a partnership with Rollins College to provide three annual scholarships to the school to be shared by Tangelo Park and Parramore high school graduates.

In order to provide a specialized education in hospitality, he opened the Rosen College of Hospitality Management at the University of Central Florida, which now ranks No. 2 among hospitality colleges worldwide.

A descendant of Russian Jewish immigrants, Rosen never forgot his roots. When the small Southwest Orlando Jewish Community Center outgrew its space, the Harris Rosen Foundation purchased the property and created a facility that would serve the Southwest Orlando Jewish community. The campus was opened in 2009 with new classrooms, meeting rooms, a fitness center and gym and a new name - the Jack and Lee Rosen Jewish Community Center, after Rosen's parents. Later, more classrooms were added, a 500-seat auditorium and theater and more.

Rosen also helped reduce the debt at the Maitland Jewish Community Center with a $1 million matching funds capital campaign.

At the annual Dinner of Tribute in 2019, Pam Kancher, then executive director of the Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center, said that honoring Rosen was a "natural fit" for the Center and its work to build a more compassionate world. "He has long supported the Holocaust Center and a number of other causes," she said. "His projects in Tangelo Park and in Haiti, his healthcare outreach for his employees, his wonderful support for the University of Central Florida and the Jewish Community Center's Jack and Lee Rosen Southwest Orlando Campus, all speak to his ability to identify with the needs of others. We often use the Hebrew phrase, tikun olam, which means 'repairing the world.' That is clearly what Harris Rosen does with his generosity."

Rosen's achievements were great and are reflected in the numerous awards he received:

The Bob Graham Center for Public Service Citizen of the Year award for his work with Tangelo Park.

Orlando Magazine named him "the most influential person in tourism in Orlando.

Orlando Business Journal honored him as the Philanthropist of the Year.

The International Drive Chamber of Commerce also named an award in Rosen's name-The Harris Rosen Philanthropy Award-which he received in November 2017. It is awarded annually to those exemplifying his passion for philanthropy.

The International Hospitality Institute listed him on the list of the Global 100 in Hospitality as one of the 100 Most Powerful People in Global Hospitality.[

The Orlando Economic Partnership awarded its James B. Greene award, the highest honor bestowed by the Partnership to a local community leader, to Rosen.

The Orlando Business Journal's Diversity in Business awards presented Rosen the first Lifetime Achievement Honor. The business publication saluted Rosen as the first recipient of an award for individuals "who have devoted a major portion of their professional lives to enhancing the practice of equality and diversity, making significant, innovative and cumulatively outstanding contributions to the cause."

Harris Rosen is survived by three of his children - Jack, Joshua and Shayna. His youngest son, Adam, died of a brain tumor in November 2018. Rosen set up a foundation in Adam's name and has donated millions to fund brain tumor research at the University of Florida.

Harris Rosen was a man of generous means who had a vision and gave hope to many.

May his memory be a blessing to all who knew and loved him.