Michael Sansbury, whose career in hospitality spanned nearly 40 years, passed away last week at age 59, according to his family. Sansbury was most recently a partner of Over 5 Hospitality, a consulting firm with offices in Florida and California and a client roster that includes Spirit Dance Hospitality, Teton Springs Lodge & Spa, Waterford Hotel Group and Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts.

For more than two years, Sansbury served as executive vice president of hotel operations as part of the start-up development team for Baha Mar Resorts, the $2 billion destination resort under construction in Nassau, Bahamas. Sansbury also served as chief operating officer for Cable Beach Resort, a cluster of three Nassau properties under the same Baha Mar ownership group.

Prior to that, he spent seven years, from 1997 to 2004, as regional vice president and managing director for Loews Hotels, where he was responsible for the pre-opening planning and operation of three hotels at the Universal Orlando Resort in Orlando.

Sansbury also served as vice president of hotel operations for Mirage Resorts, Las Vegas where he was responsible for all hotel operations and hotel marketing. He was also involved in the design development of the Bellagio Hotel and Casino, as well as the grand opening of the 3,000-room Treasure Island Resort.

Sansbury’s longest career stint was with Westin Hotels & Resorts, where he spent 19 years working for some of the brand’s most iconic properties, including the Walt Disney World Swan; The Mayflower, Washington, D.C.; The Westin Hotel, Vail, Colo.; The Westin Copley Place, Boston; and The Carlton Hotel, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Sansbury is survived by his parents, Harriet and Bill Sansbury; former wife Ann Humes Sansbury; daughter Tayler Humes Sansbury; brother Tim Sansbury; and sisters Joyce Quirk and Vicki Koppenhafer.

The family has asked that any donations in his name be made to the Michael W. Sansbury Memorial Scholarship, which provides undergraduate scholarship support for students enrolled in the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration. To make a donation, contact Meg Hardie Keilbach, director of alumni affairs and development, School of Hotel Administration, Cornell University at 607-592-0421. For online donations, click on Michael W. Sansbury Memorial Scholarship. Cards to the family may be sent to Mr. and Mrs. William J. Sansbury, 8650 S. Ocean Drive, Jensen Beach, FL 34957.