Thomas Leo Dempsey

Strangers called him Mr. Dempsey. But once he got to know someone, even for a moment, he insisted they call him TD; he said Mr. Dempsey was his father. Even his children and grandchildren called him TD.

TD was born in Cleveland, OH, on July 18, 1926 to Edward and Johanna Dempsey. At the age of 17 he enlisted in the Navy and served in a top-secret program on radar in the Philippines during World War II.

After the war, he attended a two-year program at Fenn College (now Cleveland State University) in hopes of becoming an electrician engineer like his father before him. The famous entrepreneur and industrialist J.L. Lincoln recognized TD’s potential and hired him to work at Lincoln Electric, where he became the company’s top welding equipment salesman in Cleveland. He then turned down the prestigious opportunity to manage Lincoln Electric’s New York operation to pursue instead a career in the publishing industry at Industrial Publishing Company. It was a risk for a Depression-era child to say no to guaranteed wealth, but TD wanted to gamble on himself, and was correct to do so. Eventually, TD became Chief Executive Officer of Penton Publishing after it merged with Industrial Publishing Company. Several successful mergers and acquisitions brought him to the creation and financing model of Innisbrook Resort. The connections from Innisbrook Resort led him to develop Saddlebrook Resort for his parent company, Pittway Corporation. Due to TD’s love and belief in Saddlebrook, he again gambled on himself by purchasing the resort in 1988 which allowed for all his family members to pursue careers in a variety of niche jobs - spa, golf, tennis, sales, food, and beverage, to name a few. Under his leadership, Saddlebrook Resort became the training center for five of the world’s #1 tennis players. Pete Sampras, Jim Courier, Jennifer Capriati, Martina Hingis and Andy Roddick.

He operated Saddlebrook Resort until March 2022 when he sold it to MAST Capital. 

Of all his accomplishments, TD’s passion for his family and steadfast love for his wife shined brightest. TD married his beloved late wife, Eleanor “Ellie” Rita Dempsey in 1957. He cared for Ellie deeply and together they raised two daughters. Their daughters raised their families at Saddlebrook Resort instilling strong family values. It was a true family business for the forty years he managed Saddlebrook Resort as a hands-on business owner.

TD and Ellie traveled the world and made new friends everywhere they went.TD cherished spending time with family watching football games, vacationing in St. Thomas, playing tennis, watching tennis matches, reading, dancing and social gatherings. TD was known for his great sense of humor and witty one liners that could turn a stranger into a friend. He loved to laugh and enjoyed life to the fullest. 

TD was a parishioner at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, and a proud supporter of Catholic education benefiting both Bishop McLaughlin High School and Saint Leo University. As a philanthropist, he championed many causes with local healthcare providers. 

TD is survived by his daughters, Maureen Dempsey and Diane (Gregory) Riehle and grandchildren Thomas Riehle, Robert Riehle, Alexis (James) Doyle, Masterson (Alexandria) Dempsey, and Lauren (Sawyer) Frank; a great granddaughter; and extended family, plus a multitude of dear friends. 

His vigor for life brought him through heart surgery at Pepin Heart Institute at the age of 95 and a partial hip replacement at AdventHealth Wesley Chapel at the age of 96.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Pepin Heart Institute or AdventHealth Wesley Chapel in his honor at www.adventhealth.com. 

Visitation will be held at Blount & Curry, Carrollwood on Bearss Ave from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Thursday, March 21, 2024. A funeral mass will be celebrated at the Saint Leo Abbey, 33701 FL-52, St Leo, FL 33574 on Friday, March 22, 2024 at 10:00 AM, followed by a reception and celebration of life at Saddlebrook Resort, Royal Palm Ballroom, 5700 Saddlebrook Way, Wesley Chapel, FL 33543 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM.