News of the passing of Orlando hotelier Harris Rosen – one of the area’s most notable businessmen and philanthropists as well as a military veteran – sparked an outpouring of heartfelt tributes from community leaders.

Harris Rosen, who swam a mile and a half every morning, sometimes with Olympic gold medalist Rowdy Gaines, famously saved the Aquatic center from closing in 1992 when a bank wanted to tear it down.

Harris Rosen, the former Disney executive who created a hotel empire in Orlando and gave millions to help lift people out of poverty, has died.