Edward Z. Savickas, 92, of Bel Arbor Drive, died peacefully on Wednesday, February 22, 2012, with his loving family by his side at UMass Memorial Health Care-University Campus, Worcester. He was born and raised in Worcester, the son of Charles and Kazinira (Malukas) Savickas, and lived 55 years in Paxton.

     Ed graduated from North High School and attended Worcester School of Industrial Management. In 1963, he founded Interstate Gasket Company in Worcester, which is now located in Sutton, retiring in 1985. He took pride in his country and honorably served with the United States Army during World War II in the Asiatic Pacific Theatre. Ed served as a Trustee and on the Board of Investment for Leicester Savings Bank.

     He was active in his community by serving as a Selectman and was a member of the Planning Board of Appeals for the Town of Paxton. He was also a member of St. Columba Church and was a founding member of the Leicester Business Association.

     Ed was a veracious reader and particularly enjoyed reading financial publications and analyzing the stock market. In his spare time, you could find him working in his garden, bird watching or tinkering in his woodshop. In his youth, Ed developed a passion for photography and learned the art of developing film and photos. He enjoyed vacationing with his family at their summer home in South Dennis and looked forward to exploring all the Cape and what the coast of Maine had to offer. He was adored by his family, and his greatest joy was being surrounded by them and sharing his enormous repertoire of “one-liners” and singing what he considered “life songs”. He recognized and cherished life’s simpler pleasures and will be remembered by his family and close friends for his generous, kind, and gentle nature.

     He leaves his wife of 33 years, Harriette “Bobbi” (Gerus) Cunningham Savickas; his son, John C. Savickas and his wife Ellen of Paxton; five granddaughters, Jaclyn, Sondra, Mary-Ellen, Casey and Elizabeth Savickas all of Paxton; a nephew, Edward Kaleskas and his wife Cynthia of Falmouth; as well as Harriette’s four sons and their wives, James and Carolyn Cunningham of Ohio, Paul and Joanne Cunningham of Dedham, Bruce and Nancy Cunningham of Norwood, Geoffrey and Nancy Cunningham of New Hampshire, their nine children, James, John, Katie, Paul, Patrick, Geoff, Elizabeth, Dave and Tom; and several great-grandchildren. His first wife, Christine E. (McInerny) Savickas died in 1975. Ed was predeceased by his sister Beatrice Kaleskas.

     Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 3 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, February 26, at the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden. The funeral Mass honoring Ed’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, February 27 at St. Columba Church, 18 Richards Ave., Paxton. Burial will follow with Military Honors at Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. In lieu flowers, donations may be made to the Boys & Girls Club of Worcester, Development Office, 65 Tainter Street, Worcester, MA 01610-2520.