Obituaries

Remembering Bill Luzier: A Family Man, Carpet Man and Honest Man

Colonial Carpets owner Bill Luzier, of Avon, passed away Sept. 27 after a three-month battle with cancer.

Colonial Carpets & Tile owner Bill Luzier was in business for 40 years in Avon before he passed away Friday, Sept. 27 after a three-month battle with cancer. 

"He's a good guy, touched a lot of people," said Joey Williams, his nephew and the 290 West Main St. store's manager. 

Luzier, 66, would have been 67 Oct. 24. He loved old cars, especially his 1956 Ford, was a Pittsburgh Steelers fan and loved to watch the Boston Red Sox. 

Many customers Luzier befriended stopped by last week to wish him well and some teared up during the visits, according to Barbara Williams, Joey's mother and Luzier's sister-in-law, who has been helping take care of of him in his Avon home.

"That just says the world about how they felt for him," she said. 

Most of Luzier's customers found Colonial Carpets by word of mouth and the business has thrived on repeat customers. 

"He hasn't run an ad in three years," Joey Williams, of New Hartford, said.

He purchased Colonial Carpets when its owner at the time was selling it few thousand dollars. Luzier began running the shop in 1973 across the street in Caldor Plaza, which is now Walmart Plaza. 

The store started off offering carpets alone. It gradually added products, including linoleum, tile, lamenants and cork and bamboo flooring. He ran the business for many years with his brother, Ken. Colonial Carpets also installs the carpets in the homes and visits homes to do estimates. 

"Bill and Ken really built up a fantastic business over the years," Williams said. 

Luzier's wife, Gloria of 44 years also worked side by side with him in his store.

Bill was "good-hearted" and was always there to help his family, according to Barbara.

"He was always a family man," she said. 

His customers were also like family to him. 

"We try to treat you like family," Joey Williams said. "You're not just a dollar to us."

Luzier was the long-time major patriarch in the family.

"He was our main figure in our family that when people needed advice, they went to Uncle Bill. He has been that to so many people," Williams said. "He'll guide you straight. Even if you don't want to hear it, he'll tell you the truth."

Williams said that his uncle was known for his sense of humor and that "he was a character," but he was a "straight-shooter."

"He's helped more people than you can imagine in so many ways," said Williams, including customers.

Before Joey got involved with his uncle's carpet business, he was a car salesman. Luzier taught him that the key to a successful business was complete honesty. He once told Williams that he wouldn't want to run a business where he had to lie, cheat and steal. 

"He treated everybody fairly and it was built on honesty and integrity, " Williams said. 

Luzier always advised his customers based on what they needed, even if it meant they would spend less. 

"We'll continue to do so always," Williams said. "That will never ever change."

One of 12 kids, Luzier moved to Connecticut from Pennsylvania fresh out of college with an engineering degree. His brother Dave, Joey's father, moved to Connecticut to work at the Colt factory in Hartford and a lot of the family relocated to the state in the following years.

Luzier enlisted in the United States Army and served stateside during the Vietnam War as a military policeman. His service was important to him.

He was also a member of the Masons.  

Before starting in carpets, Luzier put his engineering degree to use in the state, including his work on the original Hartford Civic Center.

The family also ran a second Colonial Carpet location in Torrington until a few years ago.

Luzier was proud to be in business for 40 years and provide for his family. 

"He was a great guy and he's going to be missed by many," Williams said. 

The business will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday, the days of the wake and funeral.  

Calling hours are Tuesday, Oct. 1 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Vincent Funeral Home in Canton and the funeral is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 2 at 1 p.m., according to Luzier's obituary

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that people make donations to Salvation Army. 

Did you know Bill Luzier? Please share your condolences and fond memories of him in the comment section and please remain respectful of the family in doing so. 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here