At the Palmer House Hilton, Luis A. Torres was a housekeeping worker beloved for his playfulness, energy and eagerness to bring in home cooked meals for fellow workers, said Karen Mitchell, the hotel’s director of housekeeping. Mr. Torres, 44, died of Crohn’s disease Thursday, Jan. 30, in his Chicago home. As head carpet shampooer, he ensured that more than 1 million square feet of carpeting was kept clean, Mitchell said. “We have 400 people in housekeeping, and everybody knew Luis,” she said. “He was the best person, bright and sparkling. He made things fun around him. He was just a really cool guy.” Mr. Torres won a monthly Pride Award, chosen from among 1,200 hotel employees, for his service. “He was a very, very good employee–one of my best,” Mitchell said. Mr. Torres also was a surrogate father for many nephews and nieces, said his niece Angelica Nieves. “He was a very loving person,” she said. “He was like my mother and my father to me. He was very nurturing. His hobby was to cook. He always cooked for everybody.” Mr. Torres was born in Chicago and graduated from Von Steuben High School. He studied at a seminary at one point, but left to work in hotels in Key West and Puerto Rico before returning to Chicago, said his niece. Other survivors include his mother, Minerva Torres Hernandez; two brothers, Jose and Joseph; and two sisters, Brunilda Gonzales and Magadelena. A memorial service is being planned.
