Major Karl Eric Gorzelnik

Major Karl Eric Gorzelnik, US Army Retired, 52

Loudonville; Major Karl Eric Gorzelnik, US Army Retired, 52, of Vatrano Lane, died suddenly Sunday at his home of natural causes.

Born in Troy, he was son of Jane Sliter Gorzelnik of Loudonville and the late Stanley Victor Gorzelnik. He was educated at The Albany Academy, Gunnery School in Washington, CT, and United States Military Academy at West Point.

Major Gorzelnik served in the US Army for 20 years in the Infantry and in Research and Development. His assignments were in Fort Benning, Georgia; Alaska; Fort Rucker, Alabama; Fort Hood, Texas; Germany; the Old Guard at Arlington National Cemetery in Fort Myer, Virginia; and Picatinney Arsenal, New Jersey. He earned the Combat Infantry Badge and was airborne qualified with jump-master wings. His awards and decorations included the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Meritorious Service Medal, and the Joint Meritorious Service Medal.

He was very active in sports throughout his life, and lettered in varsity football, hockey, and baseball in high school and hockey in college.

He is survived by his mother; his beloved, pride and joy, and only child, Hilary Lynn Gorzelnik, born during his marriage to his ex-wife, Cynthia Anne Lanier; his brother, LTC (Retired) Greg Gorzelnik and his wife Colonel Monica Gorzelnik and their two children, Karl Victor and Stanley Arthur Gorzelnik from Fairfax, Virginia; sister Jane Avis Merkl and her husband LTC Douglas Merkl and their three children, Cadets Brian Matthew and Sara Avis Merkl from West Point, and Abbie Jane Merkl from Upper Marlboro, Maryland; and several uncles and aunts: William Arthur Sliter and wife Rose Marie, Herbert Alan Sliter and wife Jean, and John W. Sliter and wife Janeann, and Frances Gorzelnik. He is also survived by several cousins.

Funeral service will be held Thursday at 12 noon at the Bryce Funeral Home Inc. corner of Pawling Avenue at Maple Avenue Troy. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday from 4-8pm.

Interment at 2:00pm at the Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville with full military honors.

Contributions may be made in memory of Major Gorzelnik to the Diamond Point Community Church, PO Box 25, Diamond Point, New York 12824.

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