Ignacy K. “Iggy” Danek, of Cherry Valley, died Monday February 19 in his home.

He leaves his wife of 44 years, Teresa (Kulesza) Danek, two sons, Krzysztof A. “Chris” Danek of Spencer and Edward R. Danek of Cherry Valley; two brothers, Richard C. Danek of Spencer and Arthur J. Danek of Merchantville, N.J. and several nephews, nieces and cousins. He was born July 31, 1937 in Krakow, Poland a son of Jerzy and Karolina (Priess) Danek and as a young boy participated in the World War II migration of Polish immigrants through Germany to the United States. His parents settled in Worcester in 1951. As a boy scout he earned his Eagle scout badge while living at Endicott St. He served in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1958 and was an armor for a mechanized infantry unit in Germany.

Mr. Danek worked 40 years in heavy industry as a highly skilled tool and die maker with specialty in plastic injection molds. In the 1960’s and 1970’s he was one of the pioneers in the use and implementation of Electro Discharge Machining in the Worcester area. In the 1980’s and 1990’s he managed the tool and died shop for Avery Dennison Corp in Leominster, Fastner Division and assisted the company with development of its tooling operations in Korea. In later years he worked for TRW Fastner and Controls Division in Fitchburg until retiring in 2001.

He was a member of St. Joseph Church. He loved to travel and embraced the latest developments in photographic and computer technology.

The funeral will be held Friday February 23 from HENRY-DIRSA FUNERAL HOME, 33 Ward St., Worcester with a Mass at 12:00 NOON in St. Pius X Church 1153 Main St., Leicester. Burial will be in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. Calling hours in the funeral home are Thursday February 22 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Church, 759 Main St, Cherry Valley, MA 01611 or to VNA Care Network, 120 Thomas St, Worcester, MA 01608.