The Guardian - Monday, October 30, 2006
David Rodd, key figure in Atlantic tourism, dies.
The quiet, unassuming man, who built a hotel chain from one motel in P.E.I., was diagnosed with ALS in 2005; he was 66.
By Jim Day
The Guardian
David Rodd, a gentle giant in the region’s tourism industry, has died.
Rodd was 66. He died peacefully at the Prince Edward Home in Charlottetown Friday afternoon with family at his side.
He was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease in June 
2005.
Alan Holman described his close friend as a man of great accomplishment who never sought the limelight.
Rodd led the development and expansion of Rodd Hotels & Resorts from a single motel in Charlottetown to 11 properties in P.E.I., New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. He and his family also own and operate five Burger King franchises in Nova Scotia.
Holman said Rodd wasn’t afraid to take well calculated risks as CEO and president of the hotel and resort chain.
“Once he made up his mind about what he wanted to do, he would focus on that,’’ he said. “In developing Rodd Resorts, he wanted it to be a high-standard operation.’’
The Rodd Crowbush Golf & Beach Resort at Lakeside, P.E.I. is the region’s only 5-star/AAA four diamond resort.
Holman said Rodd’s operations were fuelled with quality staff. At peak season, Rodd Hotels and Resorts employ about 1,000 people.
“Everybody that worked with David, respected him,’’ he said.
From his early days, Rodd assisted his parents, the late Sally and Wally Rodd, in the operation of the family tourist business that they started from two cabins in Winsloe in 1935.
David Rodd graduated from Mount Allison University in 1962 with a bachelor of arts degree and returned to the family business in 1966.
He grew the operation into the largest privately-owned hotel chain in Atlantic Canada. Rodd received numerous awards for his role as a leader in the development of the hospitality industry in P.E.I. and throughout Atlantic Canada.
A member of the Canadian Tourism Hall of Fame, Rodd received the first-ever (P.E.I.) Premier’s Award for Tourism and was named the 2002 Atlantic Canada Tourism/Hospitality Entrepreneur.
Holman said Rodd quietly appreciated all the recognition and was particularly touched by receiving an honorary degree from the University of Prince Edward Island.
He served on the boards of numerous tourism-related organizations, including director of the Tourist Industry Association of Canada. Rodd extended his reach to many other areas of the community as well — Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Canadian Cancer Society, and Canadian Heart Foundation, to name a few.
Rodd is survived by his wife, Linda, four children: Mark of Halifax, Christina Pace of Halifax, Kris of Charlottetown, and Summer Murphy of Halifax.
His remains will be transferred from MacLean Funeral Home to the Charlottetown Hotel for visiting hours Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. The funeral is Monday at St. Paul’s Anglican Church at 10 a.m.
Premier Pat Binns also issued a statement Friday on Rodd’s passing.
“David Rodd has made great contributions to Island life. Through his business career, he has been a pioneer in the development of the province’s tourism industry helping build his family’s business, Rodd Hotels and Resorts, from a single motel in Charlottetown to Atlantic Canada’s largest privately-owned hotel chain.
“Mr. Rodd also gave generously to his community, with his volunteer service benefitting many worthy community-based organizations and charities. On behalf of the province of Prince Edward Island, I wish to extend condolences to Mr. Rodd’s family on their loss.,” said Binns.
Brudenell
