Bogdan "Nick" Michael Zlotnicki

Maj. Bogdan M. Zlotnicki, U.S.A.F. (Ret.)

March 7, 1936 – Feb. 3, 2020

Bogdan M. Zlotnicki (Nick) of Cary, N.C., passed away Monday, Feb. 3, 2020. Nick was born in Jaremcze, Poland (present day Ukraine) to the late Antone and Stefania Zlotnicki. One of eight siblings, the family spent World War II in Nazi labor camps before the British liberated them in 1945. After arriving in the U.S. on June 10, 1950 (Nick’s personal “Thanksgiving Day”) the family settled in Maxton, N.C., as farm help. When that ended, Nick met a Scoutmaster who helped his father land a job at Sanford Brick and Tile. That connection led to Nick’s lifelong involvement in Boy Scouts as an adult leader. Nick played varsity soccer for UNC-Chapel Hill before graduating in 1959. He was commissioned through R.O.T.C. and spent over 20 years in the Air Force.

After retiring from the military, Nick earned his master’s degree in Geography from the University of South Carolina (he liked to say the true Carolina is in Chapel Hill). He taught high school for a second career. He was involved in many civic clubs and activities, including the South Carolina State Guard. He loved the outdoors and even made a solo parachute jump at the age of 68 (without telling his wife beforehand. Boy, did he catch hell for that!).

Nick was married to Gladys M. Middleton in 1961. They met while he was stationed in Morocco and while she was working for the Department of Defense in Spain. They married on the Rock of Gibraltar and traveled the world during Nick’s Air Force career, eventually retiring near Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina. Due to Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam, Nick was a 100-percent disabled veteran and earned two Bronze Star medals.

Nick is survived by his wife, Gladys, of 59 years, daughter Lt. Col. Kristina (Tina) Boermeester (USAF, Retired) and husband Marty of Windham, N.H., and son Mike Zlotnicki and wife Renee of Garner, N.C. He adored his four granddaughters, Katie Boermeester, and Caroline, Olivia and Nicole Zlotnicki. He is also survived by siblings Maria Lyczkowski-Shipley, Zoriana Lyczkowski, John Lyczkowski and Daria Campbell. He is predeceased in death by his stepfather Michael Lyczkowski and siblings Leon Lyczkowski, Walter Lyczkowski and Roman Lyczkowski

A funeral mass was officiated by Father Robert Ippolito on Feb. 8 at 11:00 AM at Bridges-Cameron Funeral Home followed by burial with military honors at Lee Memorial Gardens, both in Sanford, N.C. The family would like to thank the staff of HeartFields at Cary and Transitions LifeCare of Wake County for their care and support.

Online condolences may be made at Bridges-Cameron Funeral Home’s website or mailed to their address at 600 West Main Street, Sanford, NC, 27332. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice, but the family would like to suggest the following for your consideration: Transitions LifeCare of Wake County N.C., the Boy Scouts of America, The Shepherd’s Center in Sumter S.C., and Disabled American Veterans of Dalzell, S.C.

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Bogdan Michael Zlotnicki, fondly known as “Nick”, age 83, of Cary, NC, died Monday, February 3, 2020, at HeartFields Assisted Living at Cary. 

He was born in Jaremcze, Poland on March 7, 1936 to the late Antone Zlotnicki and Stefania Zawadzka Zlotnicki.  In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his step-father Michael Lyczkowski and siblings Leon, Walter and Roman Lyczkowski.  Nick received his Bachelor’s Degree from UNC and Master’s Degree from USC.  He served our country in the United States Air Force retiring after 20 years of service as a Major.  He served in the South Carolina State Guard as a Full Colonel.

He is survived by his wife Gladys Middleton Zlotnicki; daughter Kristina “Tina” Boermeester and husband Martin of Windham, NH; son Michael Steven Zlotnicki and wife Renee of Garner, NC; siblings Maria Lyczkowski and husband Gib Shipley of Kennewick, WA, Zoriana Lyczkowski of Raleigh, NC, Johnny Lyczkowski and wife Bonnie of Cameron, NC, Daria Campbell and husband Ronnie of Sanford, NC; grandchildren Caroline, Olivia, Nicole, Katie; and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral mass will be held Saturday, February 8, 2020 at 11:00 AM in the chapel of Bridges-Cameron Funeral Home with Father Robert Ippolito officiating.  Burial will follow at Lee Memory Gardens with full military honors.  There will be no formal visitation.

Memorials may be made to Transitions LifeCare Hospice, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607.

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