Bernard Kazmierczak

Bernie Kazmierczak, 77, died suddenly Saturday in Raleigh, NC following a surgical procedure earlier in the week. Bernie was born on August 17, 1935 in Schenectady, N.Y to Benjamin and Angela Kazmierczak. He was a graduate of Union College earning a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and was a United States Air Force Captain with three years of active duty. From there he went on to a stellar 39-year career with IBM as a Senior Engineer/Manager. He began his tenure with IBM in Kingston, NY before relocating his family to Raleigh in 1967. At the time of his passing Bernie had been living a very active retirement for the past 15 years. During his retirement he continued to serve as a consultant to IBM supporting the area of employee retirement benefits.

Bernie was happiest on a bicycle. His passion for riding a bike began in his youth in Schenectady and continued throughout his entire life. A bicycle was Bernie’s passport to interact with two of his other favorite things-nature and the great outdoors. Bernie planned and participated in many camping trips to some of the greatest natural wonders in the world: the Appalachian Trail, the Dismal Swamp, the Okefenokee Swamp, the Uwharrie National Forest, Merchant’s Millpond and the Outer Banks of North Carolina, just to name a few. He navigated many bodies of water (oceans, rivers, lakes) via boat or canoe in pursuit of various types of sport fishing and wildlife viewing.

Bernie’s passion for the outdoors was matched by his keen interest in building and fixing things. A man with a meticulous mind for detail, he was a trained electrical engineer with the ability to repair virtually anything. This came in particularly handy whenever he blew a tire on one of his countless bike rides. Bernie logged thousands of miles annually riding many of his favorite machines from his vast collection of bikes.

Most knew him as a dedicated husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Bernie also had a great many interests and hobbies. They included: home repairs, carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, painting, building anything and automobile maintenance and repair. But his greatest passions were cycling, birding, camping, canoeing, fishing, and the Boy Scouts of America, where he made a lasting impression on many young men as an active Boy Scout leader throughout four decades of service. Bernie had a lifetime sporting/fishing/game license in the state of North Carolina.

Bernie is survived by his devoted wife of 55 years Deloria Kazmierczak. He is also survived by his son D.J. Kazmierczak and daughter-in-law Tammy Kazmierczak of McKinney, TX; daughter Lisa Kazmierczak LeBlanc and son-in-law David LeBlanc of Greensboro, NC; son Scott Kazmierczak and daughter-in-law Lisa Herndon Kazmierczak of Raleigh, NC; daughter Kim Kazmierczak Slovensky and son-in-law Jason Slovensky of Holly Springs, NC. In addition Bernie is survived by seven grandchildren: Ryan, Sidney and Emily Kazmierczak, Ava and Keegan Slovensky, and Benjamin and Andrew LeBlanc. He is also survived by his great grandson Patrick Kazmierczak. Bernie is also survived by his brother Gerald Kazmierczak of Scotia, NY. In addition Bernie is also survived by an extended family as well as a lifetime full of great friends.

A family visitation is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, February 12, at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 1701 E. Millbrook Road, Raleigh, NC. A funeral is scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday, February 13, also at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home. Burial will immediately follow at Raleigh Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that any memorial contributions may be made to the Boy Scouts of America, c/o Occoneechee Council, P.O. Box 41229, Raleigh, NC, 27629. In the memo of your check please put “Bernie Kazmierczak Memorial.”

A perfect day for Bernie was spending time with family, taking the time to hop on his bike for a ride, stopping along the way to take in all of the beauty of nature via birds and wildlife and coming back to the place that he called home. Remember Bernie today with your own perfect day…

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.BrownWynne.com.