“I’m Proud of You, Brother” by James W. Ziskin

With apologies to my 7 Criminal Minds colleagues, I’d like to go back to last week’s topic, which was preempted by the Lefty Historical first lines post. So here it is.

Who is someone in your life who has been supportive of your writing? What was their impact? 

My brother Bill has always been a enthusiastic supporter of my writing—deserved or not—showing up at each local signing with his trusty camera, reading all my books and stories, recommending them to friends and colleagues, and offering detailed feedback and criticism at every turn. A scholar of Shakespeare—and then some—he’s given me invaluable advice on characterization, plot points, and the rhetorical devices his experience taught him. He truly has been an inspiration for me to do better and strive to reach higher. That’s the advice he always gave to his drama students. “That was great. Now do better.” No wonder I’ve always been so touched and encouraged by his congratulations on social media when one of my books comes out. “So proud of you, brother,” is his usual refrain. And that means a lot coming from such a creative and accomplished soul. 

Let me tell you about my brother Bill. I thought some bullet points would illustrate his remarkable and varied accomplishments/talents:

• Captain of his high school football team
• Valedictorian of his high school class
• B.A. and M.A. from the University of Albany in English and Education
• Veteran of the Army National Guard, having served six years in the 10th Mountain Infantry Division
• Educator—Bill retired from teaching English and Theater at Schenectady High School after thirty years
• Actor/director in regional stage productions from 1980-2016
• Founder of the prestigious Blue Roses Theater, Schenectady, NY
• Professional photographer, covering the University of Albany sports programs

There’s no shame in saying that, from time to time, we all need a boost for our flagging creative spirits. And Bill has always done that for me. For that I’m grateful.

I’m heartbroken to report, however, that I’ll have to rely on memory for that support from now on. Bill passed away on Monday at the age of fifty-eight from complications from pneumonia, brought on by Covid. Over the past fifteen years, a chronic health condition sapped him of his strength, wasted his once-strong body and health, and left the door open for that killer contagion to do its worst. 

Jennifer, his loving wife of thirty-five years, was by his side when he died, as were two of my brothers. His suffering is at an end. A small grace.

I’ve found comfort in the dozens of tributes posted in his honor on social media since Monday. So many former students—their parents, too—his lifelong friends, and his loving relatives—siblings and cousins—wrote such moving paeans to his dedication, goodness, and talent. He not only touched lives, he changed them and inspired them. For the better. His loss will forever leave a huge hole in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. Bill was that special. So, coming full circle, I say to him, “I’m proud of you, brother.”

William W. Ziskin

1962-2021

If you’d like to read more about his amazing life, and the good that he did, please have a look at this article in the Daily Gazette from Schenectady, NY.

https://dailygazette.com/2021/02/23/bill-ziskin-longtime-schenectady-hs-theater-director-remembered-as-an-educator-that-brought-magic-out-of-everyone/?fbclid=IwAR3QW5hQUi5Di5rGQy4zhUa4G1lovmJQY38Sn-X6b2GrQVqqdeKkcDpn0ro