Eric E. Soros-Kegl, age 90 of Monroe, died at his home on Sunday, January 11, 2015 following a lengthy illness. Eric was born on August 22, 1924, in Budapest, Hungary, the son of Edward and Theresa (Kegl) Soros, who were Hotel and Restaurant owners. They moved to Esztergom, Hungary, where they purchased the St. Steven Restaurant, Hotel and spa. Eric graduated from St. Benedict (high school) Gymnasium in 1942. He attended classes at Pazmany University of Science, Budapest and some additional classes at Cornell University. He spent one year after graduating as a novice in the St. Benedict Order, after which he became an independent business man as a buyer at the Vacarner Oil Corporation, then taken over by the Hungarian-Soviet Oil Corporation, as an interpreter and Secretary to the Russian president. For the reason he could have been wrongly accused of a sabotage action, which he knew nothing about, he was advised by a friend, the Minister of Interior, to escape from Hungary immediately, or the Russians would place the blame on him, regardless. Eric left Hungary in 1948 and couldn't even take time to say "Goodbye" to his parents. He went to Austria, Germany and on to Paris, France. After obtaining a work permit, through the help of the Baptist World Federation, Eric was nominated for the position of director of a 200-bed convalescent home in Paris, where persons from the Nuremburg Trial were sent. He worked there for three years. From there, he arrived in Canada in 1951, where he worked for the Sheraton Corporation. Since he didn't speak English, he first job at King Edward Hotel was as a bus boy before advancing rapidly to waiter, captain, head waiter, assistant maitre d' and maitre d' and room manager. He had refused the offer of a doctor friend in Toronto to send him to the university or to vocal school, but Eric wanted to do it on his own, which he did. From there, the Sheraton Corporation brought him to New York in 1960. Eric was food and beverage director for Hilton and Sheraton Hotels. He moved to Miami where he took hotel management classes at Miami-Dade. Then he worked for the Eastern Airlines as manager of the Food-in-Flight operation, after which he worked at several large hotels in Miami Beach, including the Fontainebleau. Hilton Hotels brought Eric to the Palmer House Empire Room in Chicago. In the evening , he worked at the Arlington Hilton Hotel in Arlington Heights. It was there that Eric met Doris Kubly, whom he married in February, 1977. He retired in 1983, and lived in Monroe. Eric and Doris enjoyed traveling, RV-ing, and boating. With their large motor home, they traveled all over the United States and Canada, and have been to Hawaii. They flew to Luxembourg, rented a car and traveled all through Europe, where Eric could speak all the languages, since he spoke six languages. They have been to every island in the Caribbean on various cruise ships. For years they would spend six months at their home in Naples, Florida.

He is survived by his wife, Doris Kegl of Monroe; a niece, Ginger (Pete) Jaggi of Argyle; two nephews, Lavern (Carol) Nall of Mequon, WI, and Taryn (Kathy) Nall of Oconto Falls, WI; great nieces and nephews, Alan (Jolene) Kolb, Brian (Kim) Kolb, Clayton (Marina) Nall, Stacy Nall, Jason (Katy) Nall, and Josh (Mel) Nall. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister in Hungary.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 16, 2015, at 11:00 a.m., at the Union Presbyterian Church, 2505 Fifth Street, Monroe, with Reverends Jesse Larson and Marilyn Sandin-Ross officiating. Interment will follow in Greenwood Cemetery, Monroe. Visitation will be at the Newcomer Funeral Home, Monroe, on Thursday from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and at the church on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Memorials are suggested in Eric's name to the Union Presbyterian Church or the Alzheimer's Association.

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