Zigmon “Zig” Luksha, 94, passed away peacefully at home on March 12, 2015, surrounded by his loving family. He was the son of the late Nicholas M. and Mary (Lis) Luksha, Polish immigrant parents that settled in Sterling more than 100 years ago.

Zig never moved far from his family’s roots. He was born at home a few hundred feet from his own home, one that he had built with his own hands. As a young man, Zig learned about hard work and was always good with his hands. Mechanically inclined, he put his skills to good use when he was called to serve during World War II. He joined the Army Air Forces as an airplane mechanic, and maintenance crew chief, working on B-17 and B-24 bombers while stationed in the European theater. Following his return home, Zig became a plumber and retired from Gustafson Plumbing in Worcester following a 40-year career there. With a growing family, Zig took on even more work and a second job working part-time at Nypro in Clinton for many years to support them. He shared his love of cribbage by teaching all of his children to play, enjoyed working in his vegetable garden every summer, and was a voracious reader, especially of Western genre novels. Zig was also a 60 years member of the Hiram O. Taylor American Legion Post 189 in Sterling. He was a dedicated loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend, who will be forever missed and loved.

His beloved wife of 53 years, Edythe I. (Landry) died in 2001. He leaves his eight children, Zigmon Luksha, Jr. and his wife, Patricia of Houston, TX, Norma Jean Marcott of Lacey, WA, Nicholas Luksha and his wife, Catherine of Sterling, Leon Luksha and his companion, Janice Tibbetts of Merrimack, NH, David Luksha of Sterling, Russell Luksha and his wife, Akemi of Okinawa, Japan, Timothy Luksha and his wife, Jodie of West Boylston and Jennifer Rose Luksha of Sterling; his sister, Mary Tillson of Sterling; his brother, Stanley “Steve” Luksha of Clinton; 23 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren and two great great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. His four brothers, Mike, Joe, Frank and John, predeceased him.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with the family on Monday, March 16, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Miles-Sterling Funeral and Tribute Center, 100 Worcester Road (Rte. 12), Sterling. A funeral service honoring and celebrating Zig’s life will be held on Tuesday, March 17, at 11 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by burial with military honors in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Hiram O. Taylor American Legion Post 189, 32 School Street, Sterling, MA 01564.