Thomas Patrick Prince passed away on Friday, March 17th which was his
birthday. Tom turned 78 the day he passed.
Tom was born in St, Louis, MO on March 17th , 1945 to his now deceased parents,
Joe & Hazel Prince. He is also predeceased by his brother, Jimmy Prince (widow
Ann).
Tom enjoyed hunting, fishing, horseback riding and playing sports growing up all
over the U.S. Tom’s family moved numerous times and finally settled in Winter
Park where Tom graduated from Winter Park High School in 1963.
After high school, Tom attended Stetson University where he met his beloved
wife Selby. He graduated from Stetson with a degree in Business Administration
before joining the Army and becoming a pilot where he learned to fly planes and
helicopters. Tom served as a helicopter Pilot in Vietnam and flew for the Black
Cats where he made many lifelong friendships. More recently, Tom enjoyed
catching up with his friends at reunions with the Black Cats.
The same year Tom left the Army as a Captain in 1971, he obtained an MBA from
Georgia Southern College and joined Merrill Lynch as a Broker in Orlando, Florida.
Tom joined Days Inns of America soon after its founding. His family owned and
operated motels in Tom’s youth which provided excellent training for his career at
Days Inns. Days Inns became one of the largest Limited-Service Hotel chains in
America where Tom was instrumental in development, financing and hotel
management for the company. When Tom left Days Inns of America to form
Prince Bush Investments, he was Executive Vice President and Chief Investment
Officer.
He later formed Prince Bush Investments (now Prince Bush Hotels, Inc.) with his
partner and good friend, Robert C. Bush (Bob) who remains partners with Tom
and his family to this day. Tom and Bob developed, owned and operated
numerous hotels and later branched out into all types of commercial real estate.
At Tom’s passing, he was deeply involved in Ave Maria University which was one
of his passions. Over Tom’s 10 years as Trustee, he served on the finance,
investment, audit and athletic committees. Tom and Selby were primary donors
to the Thomas and Selby Prince Building on campus.
Tom also has a business scholarship at Stetson University named in honor of his
father, Joseph C. Prince which is still active and growing to this day.
Tom was an avid sportsman and all-around guy’s guy. In addition to his love of
hunting, skiing, golfing, car racing, and running he cherished all the good times
and memories made on his fishing boat, the “Caribbean Soul” with family and
friends.
Tom’s legacy will live on at the Seven Angels Ranch named after his seven
grandchildren in Paradise Valley, Montana where anyone was always welcome to
come relax, have a drink and enjoy the hospitality that he was always known
for.
Tom is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Selby J. Prince, His daughter
Michelle P. Olson, (husband, Patrick Olson) son Joseph S. Prince, Grandchildren,
Selby Olson (27), Audrey Olson (25) Joseph Olson (23), Hunter Prince (23),
Maxwell Olson (22), Thomas Prince (21) and Joelle Prince (19).
A memorial service will be held at St. Margaret Mary Church at 526 North Park
Avenue in Winter Park, FL 32789 at 11:00 AM, Monday, March 27th .