Robert Conidaris, founder of Lani Kai Island Resort on Fort Myers Beach, dies at 93
Robert Conidaris, the iconic founder of the Lani Kai Island Resort on Fort Myers Beach, died last night peacefully surrounded by family, his family announced. He was 93. Conidaris built the beachfront hotel in 1978, turning it into one of the island’s most recognizable resorts.
Affectionately known as “Mr. C” Conidaris was known for his charitable efforts throughout the community and had overseen a rebuild of the Lani Kai Island Resort after Hurricane Ian with the resort reopening its rooms last month after two years of repairs.
Fort Myers Beach Observer readers named Conidaris the island’s Humanitarian of the Year in 2010 for the Best of the Beach Awards.
Conidaris moved to Fort Myers Beach in 1974 from New York with his late wife Grace, who passed away in 2008. A contractor by trade, Conidaris was involved in numerous developments throughout Lee County.
Conidaris would turn the Lani Kai Island Resort on Fort Myers Beach into a destination for winter vacationers, spring break, offshore boat races, air shows, jet ski races and other events.
Conidaris was a Korean War veteran and supported veteran charities among many other charities including the Beach Kids Foundation, Fort Myers Beach Elementary School, firefighters, emergency responders, the Shriners and others. The hotel served as the longtime host for an annual blood and bone marrow drive.
He is survived by a sister, eight children, many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Former Fort Myers Beach Mayor Tracey Gore said “I don’t remember life without Mr. Conidaris. He and his wife (Grace) were so great to the local beach kids. I went to Beach Elementary School with his son, Kenny Conidaris, who is a close friend. Lani Kai was a safe place for all of us beach kids to hang out at, play video games, go to the beach. Mr. & Mrs. Conidaris would give us ice cream and sodas, they watched over us and made sure we knew we were special because we were locals. As an adult, Mr. Conidaris supported all me and my families’ fundraisers, including the Semmer Fireworks Committee, Beach School PTO, Beach Kids Foundation, FMB Lions Shrimp Festival and whatever else I put on his desk for a donation. Our hearts go out to the Conidaris Family. To all of us he was the awesome Mr. C. To his family, he was dad, grandpa, uncle. Another island legend gone. I feel Blessed to have had him in my life for so long.”
Melissa Schneider, marketing director for the Lani Kai Island Resort, called Mr. Conidaris “a legend.”
Schneider said Conidaris was “a true icon of Fort Myers Beach, and will forever be remembered for the kindness and generosity he instilled upon the community he loved so greatly.”
In a posting on Facebook by the Lani Kai Island Resort, Conidaris was remembered as someone who was raised during the Great Depression in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. As a child, he helped support his family shining shoes.
“Ever since he was a young boy, Bob worked hard to provide for his mother and siblings in a horribly rough economy, shining shoes for nickels and dimes, selling newspapers to passers-by on the New York streets, bringing home any change he could to help the family (except maybe spend a nickel or two at the candy shop on the way home to share with his mom, as he lovingly admitted with a smile and a wink when he was in his early 90s),” the Lani Kai Island Resort statement said.
“As a young boy, he landed a job as a page for NBC, having the opportunity to meet several celebrities and movie stars, something he really enjoyed.
He soon got into sports and took a real liking to boxing, was the youngest kid to become part of the NYPD’s youth boxing academy, and even won the Golden Gloves in Madison Square Garden as a young teenager.
He was always one to stand up for the “little guy” against the “tough guys.”
As an older teenager, he joined the military and ended up in the Korean War. Stationed in Geneva, NY, while home on leave, he ended up at a GI dance, where he met a beautiful, vibrant woman who would soon become his wife, Grace. The two had a wonderful courting, and they married April 16, 1955, where, over the course of several years, the loving pair had eight children, who over the course of time, had 25 grandchildren and currently 24 great-grand-children, with three more on the way in a matter of months.
Bob continued to learn and expand his knowledge in the construction industry, operating as the largest contractor in the area with Crown Asphalt in Rochester, NY, designing many roads, infrastructure and building developments throughout New York until he and Grace ended up in Florida for another construction project, immediately fell in love with Fort Myers Beach, and decided to custom build a seven-story beachside hotel in 1977-78 that would become the iconic Lani Kai Island Resort, named for Grace’s love of Hawaii. While running the hotel, he continued to develop real estate throughout Southwest Florida for decades. Every day, multiple times a day, for decades, Bob enjoyed roaming the halls and venues of his hotel, greeting guests and treating their little ones to dessert and ice cream (as long as they said it was okay). As he would say, “I always like offering the children dessert, because if I buy a drink for the parents, they can’t share it with their kids, BUT if the children get dessert, they can share with their parents (if they want to).” It was his way of ensuring the younger generations had the chance to enjoy tasty treats like ice cream, as it was something so tough to afford when he was growing up.
Over the years, his hotel continued to prosper and thrive, and Bob continued to grow several friendships that have lasted a lifetime. The countless philanthropic endeavors and donations he and Grace imparted on both their New York and Florida communities for generations were vast, always determined to help those in need, whether it be a non-profit charity, orphanage, church or individual member of the community.
He’s a man who started his life with very little, and over time, with so much determination, knowledge and foresight, managed to build a comfortable and prestigious life – but he never forgot where he came from – never forgot his roots, his family, always shared those tough experiences from which he grew, always shared his prosperity and wealth with his community, and fully instilled his knowledge, willpower and determination into his ever-growing family.
Bob may have left this earth physically, in peace, surrounded by his family and loved ones, but he will always be remembered for the true love of his family, his dear friends and his community that he proudly stood by and supported all his life. May his memory, and his legacy, forever be eternal.
Bob is survived by his sister, Libby (Matthew); his eight children and their spouses, Peter (Char), Diane (Donna), Robert Jr. (Melissa), Linda (Jimmy), Michael (Ann), Joe (Sandy), Kenny (Kathy) and Mary Grace (Bernie, Sr.); his 25 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren, not to mention many nieces, nephews and other loved ones who hold his love so greatly.
Bob is predeceased by his mother Irene, father George, stepfather Peter (Papa), twin sisters, Ann and Kay, brothers Apollo and Matthew (Mike), and wife and love of his life, Grace.”
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This is a breaking news story and will be updated
Fort Myers Beach Observer Editor Nathan Mayberg can be reached at NMayberg@breezenewspapers.com