Por (Margie Anderson) on May 22, 2006 (Suggest removal)

I remember the first Sea Wolf in Lakeland built & opened sometime during my sophomore year at Florida Southern College (1976-77).  The food at the Sea Wolf was always wonderful, reasonable, and we loved the birds and atrium gardens surrounding the restaurant.  It was a favorite place to eat when we could no longer down what was served in the FSC caf.  Everytime we drive by what is now Sam Seltzer’s in Lakeland - we (my husband & I) remark how much we still miss the old Sea Wolf restaurant.  At least I remember many great times with good friends there.  Such a loss to not have it around anymore…even nearly 30 years later!

Por (Raymond Greenlee) on May 23, 2006 (Suggest removal)

I remember the stories of Gene’s expolits and driving by the Sea Wolf. Never made it in because of the lines. Now I wish we had taken the time to go. He was quite a colorful guy back in the day and it is good to see he is still doing well.

Por (Raymond Greenlee) on May 23, 2006 (Suggest removal)

Margie Yes would it not be a wonderful thing if Gene would bring it back. With his personality it would surely be a big hit. No need to spend millions again. Just to food and him would do it. Gene if you are reading this then please bring back what you gave us years ago. There are so many new people who never knew of the Sea Wolf it would be bigger than ever. I wait for the chance for the blast from the past.

Por (Bonnie Baker) on May 23, 2006 (Suggest removal)

Think someone might have the year wrong for the opening of the Tampa Sea Wolf.  My husband and I had our first date there back in October 1978.  He had worked as a plumber during the building of it.  Don’t remember the meal, but do recall the peacocks in the gardens and the huge fish tanks.

Por (Alton Brown) on May 23, 2006 (Suggest removal)

Gene Holloway was a real jerk to work for. He lied to employees and cheated them on their IRS tax forms. He should be back in jail where he belongs. I worked for him part time when he was trying to bring back the Sea Wolf on Busch Blvd in ’87 or ’88. The kitchen was a mess and the staff was totally new each time I came in to work a shift. The management had no idea what they were doing. I have never seen such a disorganized restaurant in my life.

Por (R.A. Montoto) on May 23, 2006 (Suggest removal)

Read the article on a man who was deceitful,arrogant,liar,cheater & a thief. I agree with Mr.Brown. He(Gene) should be not back but STILL in jail for the way he abused everyone ESPECIALLY my best friend!
If any of us tried to do what he did we would have the IRS, FBI, ATF, CIA, etc. AFTER us & our families.
How can you print a fantasy story about a known criminal basically describing him as peaceful & content NOW! I feel this is dispicable& unacceptable for the paper to honor him in this way. Anyone can open a restaurant but it takes a REAL man to be honest & confess their illegal ways with his cruel, mean & disruptive ways. Tampa has MANY fine and upstanding citizens that own and operate fine dining restaurants for decades.

Por (Randall Holloway) on May 23, 2006 (Suggest removal)

Thanks Laura for the beautiful article, it’s nice to see something good written about Dad for a change. If our nation’s most famous people had to pay for their mistakes like Dad has, would we be such a great country we are today or would we even be a country? There is one regret I have about the Tampa Seawolf Restaurant is standing up a real good friend at the restaurant one evening because I was stranded at the Thonotosassa Ranch, I never had the chance face to face to tell her I was sorry…Her initials were LW. LW if I never see you again I’m still to this day truely sorry…
Sincerely,
Randall(Randy) Holloway

Por (Susan M. Wall Holloway) on May 24, 2006 (Suggest removal)

Bonnie Baker is right there are some dates that aren’t right on the mark but close.. Hudson (Gene) was and still is a very interesting person, people make mistakes don’t be so hard on him….
Move on he has…. one thing I learned while being married to Hudson is to never say never, where there is a will there is a way!!!!!!
Randy I’d like to get in touch with you if you are reading this may be you could contact the paper for my email address if you are interested. It is good to remember these times….
Thank you Susan

Por (Robert Stewart Lang) on May 24, 2006 (Suggest removal)

In 1985 afterclosing our pool display at4510 S Dale Mabry a wrecking company knocked down a wood fence around the display with a crane and stole a semitrailer load of plants and large trees.These plants showed up at a Restaurant opened by Mr Holloway on Busch Blvd.The restaurant property was owned by a Mr Azzerelli.This is a matter of record in the Tampa Police Dept and the thief was ID’d by the detective bureau,the state atty would not prosecute the guilty party. These were valued by a landscape designer at $25k,but strangely enough the states atty declined prosecution.Your research on Holloway came up short on citing the serious hurt this chap put on insurance carriers and individuals during his colorful career.Not a good reporting job!

Por (Dinah L Swickey) on May 24, 2006 (Suggest removal)

Your article about Gene Holloway in the May 23rd Tribune made Gene Holloway out to be some kind of a cult hero.  This man made millions by any means possible, and has been unsuccessful at any venture he has attempted in spite of stealing and ruining the lives of people to achieve that end. I am ashamed that you would waste paper to print an article on such a low life fire-loving grifter. Shame on you. Oh, I forgot.  It’s about selling papers.

Dinah Lang Swickey

Por (Shannon Frink) on May 26, 2006 (Suggest removal)

The SEA WOLF AUHH memories of my childhood.
I lived in this place as a child , my mother Jimmieann was the manager and also related to Jean through his marriage to Debbie.
I will always remember my times there , playing w/ the new born cats they would buy , I would get to play them while they young.
And will always remember Jean and the nice man who always was so sweet to me and always gave me silver dollars for my birthday.

Por (Shannon Frink) on May 26, 2006 (Suggest removal)

OOP’s A spelling error Gene not Jean sorry
And RANDY if you read this remember the little girl you used to baby sit???;)

Por (daniel eugene holloway) on May 26, 2006 (Suggest removal)

you filthy animals

Por (daniel eugene holloway) on May 26, 2006 (Suggest removal)

print the truth

Por (Randy Holloway) on May 31, 2006 (Suggest removal)

Hi everyone. Has anyone ever found a better Seafood Restaurant than the Seawolf with such decor, great taste, and such reasonable prices? If so please e-mail me at RHollowayClass78@aol.com because I’d sure like to go…I’ve been all over the world and I still haven’t found anything like it…..

Por (robert George hefner) on June 03, 2006 (Suggest removal)

I dont care what Gene did I wish he would open it back up . the man had one hell of a restaurant . I remember it had tigers on the right as you walked up the tar paved driveway and as you walked in you couldnt help but see this huge polar bear looking down at you . the very back of the place had a garden that would serve fresh veggies and salads ... I remember my lucky parents had a chance to shake Genes hand as we came in one night to eat .. is he still alive ??

Por (Tammy Fromm) on July 03, 2006 (Suggest removal)

I grew up in Ruskin. My father and I used to go to the Sea Wolf every chance we got. I LOVED THAT PLACE. I can’t say I cared much for Holloway. He wasn’t the nicest man to his staff.
Not to mention all the other unscrupulous things he did.
Regardless, I would love to go back to Sea Wolf.

Por (Greg Graham) on July 13, 2006 (Suggest removal)

The Gene Holloway story is pretty close but some major details have been left out.

Por (Greg Graham) on July 13, 2006 (Suggest removal)

Does anyone remember Bob Dourney? This nice and honest guy really fell victim to Mr Holloway.

Mr Dourney was left out of the Holloway time-line, but should have been included as the owner of the resteraunt just before the “fake death”.

I’m glad to hear that Holloway has become a better person these days, but Dourney paid the ultimate price. He lost everything.

Por (Maria Fernandez) on July 13, 2006 (Suggest removal)

I remember this restaurant!!!

My husband and I talk about the Sea Wolf every great once in awhile, and reminisce about how spectacular it was. 

Do you all remember the huge aquariums in the lobby area??  They were so big, they covered entire walls.  Gorgeous.

I agree that there really hasn’t been anything else in the Tampa Bay area quite like the Sea Wolf since.

I wish some millionaire would open it back up again.  My husband and I would be the first ones in line when it opened!

Crying shame the owner screwed it up for everyone.

Por (daniel eugene holloway) on July 13, 2006 (Suggest removal)

Bob I was left out of the time line too,and I,m the oldest son.I have the real story they will not tell it because it is edited…..........

Por (Greg Graham) on July 14, 2006 (Suggest removal)

Daniel…your right, the real story probably never will come out. I suppose that is part of what keeps some folks so interested.

Some of the “happenings” were so bizare that this could truely have been turned into a movie.

Por (Daniel Eugene Holloway) on July 26, 2006 (Suggest removal)

Iwonder what hardlickher,aged the beauty queen??

Por (jason daniel holloway) on September 28, 2006 (Suggest removal)

i never had a chance to eat at the sea wolf but it sounds like it was a spectacular place.  people seem to have alot of bad things to say about my grandfather but i never got to meet him either.  hope he has turned out to be a better person.  Hi gramps hope to talk to you again soon.

Por (Cheryl&Don Montgomery) on October 21, 2006 (Suggest removal)

Anyone out there interested in purchasing the former Holloway home in Lakeland….email me and I will send you the specs….it’s spectacular…the presenet owner has it priced under $3m….and what a home…right on Lake Hollingsworth…with every bell and whistle imaginable!!!  We are with Exit Realty and it just came on the market!!!

    Hollywood should make a movie of Gene’s life….if ever there were a person who could get into a a pile of it and come out smelling like a rose…it was he!!! (We often compared him to Dallas character JR Ewing!!!)  Hope he is enjoying his Golden Years and is happy even if he isn’t as rich!!! Never has there been a restaurant here in Lakeland that can compare to The Sea Wolf. Sure miss it!