Luft

Nicholas James Luft, 37, of Gibsonia, died on Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024, after a decadelong battle with brain cancer.

Nick was born in Pittsburgh and grew up between Cranberry Township and Mars. Growing up, Nick never met an inadvisable idea he didn’t like: skipping class in Catholic school to play poker in the gym, playing soccer with a lit gasoline-soaked ball and scorching his bedroom floor and ceiling with a homemade flamethrower, among countless others (DISCLAIMER: Don’t try this at home).

Nick eventually did mature a bit and pursued a passion for law by attending the University of South Carolina Joseph F. Rice School of Law. It was halfway through his 2L year that his diagnosis was found. Despite (or to spite) the nonbelievers, Nick returned to his law studies several weeks late into that second semester and continued on to earn his Juris Doctor on-time with his cohort. Telling Nick he couldn’t do something was a guarantee he would, in fact, accomplish said thing.

He was an avid hobbyist throughout his life, as evidenced by many incomplete projects and bottles of home-brewed wine. Nick loved music: he played the guitar and was an accomplished pianist. While the tumor slowly took away his ability to participate in some of his favorite pastimes, he held onto golf until the end. He spent many hours at X-Golf in Wexford and was well taken care of by the X-Golf crew.

Nick’s kindness and selflessness touched many. He loved nothing more than spending time with his family and friends. He is survived by his loving partner, Courtney Stein; their two dogs; his mother, Jean (Zuccher) Luft; brother, Brian (Michelle) Luft; practical in-laws, Tom and Janet Stein; brother-in-law, Ryan Stein; niece, Nola Luft; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, James Luft; grandparents, James and Dolores Luft and James and Margaret Zuccher; and his cousin, Ronald “Buzz” Zuccher.

Nick’s family would like to thank his USC Rice School of Law family, who have created a scholarship in his name for an incoming 1L this fall, his Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center team at Duke University, and his oncology and hospice teams with AHN.

Glioma defined his death but it did not define his life. Please consider supporting death with dignity laws throughout the U.S.

LUFT — Family and friends of Nicholas James Luft, who died Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024, will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday and Friday at BOYLAN-GLENN-KILDOO FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, 130 Wisconsin Ave., Cranberry Township, PA 16066.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at noon Saturday at Divine Grace Parish, St. Ferdinand Catholic Church, 2535 Rochester Road, Cranberry Township. Interment will follow at Mars Cemetery.

Nick’s family invites attendees to write down some favorite memories they had with Nick, to share with his family and to help keep his memory alive.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Nick’s memory may be made to the Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke, online at tischbraintumorcenter.duke.edu/ways-give-0.

Expressions of sympathy may be shared with Nick’s family at www.boylanfuneralservices.com.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.