Joseph H. Roth Jr., popular Florida Keys businessman and community leader
Hoodoo
Locals remember Joe Roth as generous, savvy businessman
By Kevin Wadow and Reporter Staff
Friday, June 18, 2010 11:11 AM EDT
http://www.keysnet.com/2010/06/17/229998/locals-remember-joe-roth-as-generous.html
The family of Joe Roth Jr. has announced a celebration of life to be
held in memory of the Upper Keys businessman and community leader who
died earlier this month.
The event will be held at 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 11 on the beach at
Holiday Isle Resort, the Upper Keys property that Roth owned and managed
for many years.
The following is taken from stories about Roth's life printed this week
in the Keynoter and The Reporter:
Remembering the stories
Even more than Joe Roth Jr.’s business success, Upper Keys residents
remember the stories.
Joseph H. Roth Jr., former managing owner of Holiday Isle Resort and
Marina in Islamorada, died June 9 at his home in Naples after a two-year
battle with cancer, his family said in an obituary.
In addition to Holiday Isle, Roth was affiliated with local businesses
including the Little Palm Island resort in the Lower Keys and previously
with Tavernier Creek Marina.
A private family service was held Thursday, June 10 in Naples. Plans for
a celebration of life in the Keys had not been announced yet this week.
“Joe Roth was a heck of a nice guy who did a lot for the Florida Keys,”
said Andy Newman, public-relations consultant for the Monroe County
Tourist Development Council. “He had a very, very bright mind and was an
unbelievable marketer.”
Revitalized resort
When the Beach Boys released the song “Kokomo” in 1988, Roth heard that
tourists were asking if there really was a “Kokomo” in the Florida Keys,
Newman related. Within days, a beachfront bar at Holiday Isle had been
renamed Kokomo to give them a destination.
That was typical of the savvy that helped Roth and his partners
revitalize Holiday Isle into one of the most popular waterfront spots in
South Florida. The property had fallen into receivership under previous
owners when a group of investors bought it, with Roth as “managing owner.”
When a fiberglass statue of a scruffy cartoon rodent was stolen from the
namesake Mickey Rat’s bar at Holiday Isle, Roth ransomed it back.
At the inaugural staging of the Original Ladies Dolphin Tournament — 17
years ago last weekend — Roth and a crew of Islamorada notables arrived
in wigs and dresses, asking to be signed up as entrants.
“Joe loved to play, and had so much energy,” said charter captain Skip
Bradeen, who counts Mr. Roth as “one of my best friends ever.”
“He was the most generous guy,” Bradeen said. “For just about every
fishing tournament, Holiday Isle was a major pocket. He would reach into
his pocket to help any group in need.”
“You never heard his employees say anything bad about him,” Bradeen
said. “They’ll tell you, ‘I’m lucky to be working for Joe Roth.’”
Roth was born in Patterson, N.J. in 1946, and moved to the Keys with his
family at age 17. He graduated from the University of Florida with honors.
In the Keys, Roth was continually active in community groups, including
the Upper Keys Rotary Club and the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce. He
was a director of TIB Bank for 20 years.
He was also a partner and member of the Advisory Board of Noble House
Hotels & Resorts, a lifetime board member of The American Cancer
Society, a board member of diabetes research, an active supporter of
hospice and many other charities through the Joe and Lindy Roth
Charitable Foundation.
Roth was known for his generous gifts to a wide range of local
organizations and causes in the Keys. Family members said he was
particularly proud of receiving the 2009 Volunteer of the Year Award
from Plantation Key Elementary School.
“The people who worked for Joe loved him. He was a legend,” said Richard
Stanczyk, owner of Bud ‘n Mary’s Marina in Islamorada. “Joe had an
incredible spirit, always friendly and a gentleman. He truly will be
missed.”
Roth is survived by his wife, Lindy (Magnuson) Roth; his mother, Edna
Roth; sister, Susan Roth (Bobby Conley); brother, Craig Roth (Cathy);
his children, Joe Roth III (Cathy), Jodi Lesko (Brian), Kristy Ross
(Paul); eight grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Roth’s family said it would hold a celebration of life in the Keys in
the next few weeks.
- - -
Sunday, June 20, 2010
http://keysnews.com/
JOSEPH H. ROTH JR.
Joseph H. Roth Jr. passed away on Wednesday, June 9, 2010, after a
courageous two-year battle with cancer. Joe was born in Patterson, N.J.,
in 1946. He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph Roth Sr. He is
survived by his wife, Lindy (Magnuson) Roth; mother, Edna Roth; sister,
Susan Roth (Bobby Conley); brother, Craig Roth (Cathy); his children,
Joe Roth III (Cathy), Jodi Lesko (Brian) and Kristy Ross (Paul);
grandchildren, Caitlyn Roth, Joe Roth IV, Sara Roth, Keri Lynn Lesko,
Brian "Zippy" Lesko, Pauly Ross, Konnor Ross and Grayden Ross; and many
beloved nieces and nephews. Joe moved to Florida with his family at the
age of 17, just prior to his senior year in high school. He graduated
from the University of Florida with honors. He had a very successful
career in finance and the hospitality industry that began in Orlando.
Joe continued his hospitality career by being the managing general
partner of Holiday Isle Resort in Islamorada, Fla., for over 20 years.
Joe and his partners brought Holiday Isle out of foreclosure, and Joe
developed it into one of the prime resort destinations in the Florida
Keys. Joe owned and operated Tavernier Creek Marina. He was also one of
the original partners of Little Palm Island. Joe bought the old Chevron
property at "The Bight" in Key West, and developed Conch Harbor Marina.
Joe was a pioneer in using all-recycled materials in building the docks
at Conch Harbor. He was also a member of the board of directors of TIB
Bank for 20 years, partner and member of the Advisory Board of Noble
House Hotels & Resorts, a member of the Upper Keys Rotary Club and a
Paul Harris Fellow, a lifetime board member of the American Cancer
Society, a board member of Diabetes Research, an active supporter of
Hospice, and many other charities through the Joe and Lindy Roth
Charitable foundation. Joe and Lindy enjoyed traveling to various parts
of the world including Africa, Europe, the Far East, and Australia, but
had a special place in their hearts for Hawaii. Although Joe and Lindy's
home is in Islamorada, they enjoyed spending time in their beach house
in Naples, which family and friends refer to as The Roth Beach Club (or
RBC). He especially liked spending time with his eight grandchildren and
supporting their school. Although Joe "Pappy" won many awards over the
years, including grand marshal of the Upper Keys 4th of July Parade, one
award he was particularly proud of was the 2009 Volunteer of the Year
award from Plantation Key Elementary School. Joe Roth touched many, many
lives through his eternal optimism. He never met anyone that he didn't
consider a friend. He will be greatly missed not only by his family and
friends but by all of those who knew him. There will be a private
service for the immediate family in Naples followed by a celebration of
Joe's life in the Florida Keys at 4 p.m. Sunday, July 11, 2010, at
Holiday Isle Resort on the beach. In lieu of flowers, the family
requests donations to the American Cancer Society, 1010 Kennedy Drive,
suite 306, Key West, FL 33040; or Avow Hospice of Naples, 1095
Whippoorwill Lane, Naples, FL 34105.
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