Obituary of William W. Ziskin

Bill Ziskin passed away February 22, 2021 after a long illness. He died peacefully with his wife Jennifer and his brothers by his side.

 

William Wham Ziskin was born December 5, 1962 in Amsterdam, New York, son of Drs. Hilbert and Elizabeth Wham Ziskin. He was a dedicated athlete in his youth and, as a student at Amsterdam High School (AHS), balanced football with a keen and growing passion for the theater. He graduated from AHS in 1981, the valedictorian of his class. He earned degrees in English and Education from the University at Albany, and held dual certification in English and Theater. He served six years in the Army National Guard, 10^th Mountain Infantry Division. He was an actor, athlete, photographer, filmmaker, teacher, coach, director, and founder of an acclaimed theater program at Schenectady High School. 

 

Bill was a versatile and talented actor. Through the years, he performed in university productions, as well as with the company, Home Made Theater in Saratoga Springs, and with Albany’s Capital Repertory Theatre. Among his memorable performances were a powerful turn as George in Of Mice and Men, his interpretation of Bob Cratchit in Capital Rep’s A Christmas Carol, and, hilariously, the comically sadistic dentist in Little Shop of Horrors. 

 

Bill taught English, Film, and Theater at Schenectady High School (SHS), as part of the John Sayles School of Fine Arts, and was proud to be a part of the School of Performing Arts at Proctors Theater in Schenectady. He was a guide and a mentor for hundreds of students. He coached junior varsity and varsity football in his early years in the district, and co-founded the The Blue Roses Theater Company at SHS. Through the work at Blue Roses, Bill, his students, and colleagues built a professional-level theater production company — a space where students could learn, grow, and find themselves through the experience of being treated as professionals in every aspect of their work. In 2015, graduates and colleagues nominated Bill for a Tony Award for Excellence in Theater Education.  A collaboration between The Tony Awards and Carnegie Mellon University, the award recognizes a K-12 theatre educator for their “monumental impact on the lives of students” and for embodying “the highest standards of the profession.“ 

 

After a 30-year teaching career, Bill retired from education in 2017 and rededicated himself to his passion for sports photography. He became the sports photographer for the University at Albany Athletics Program. He found joy in capturing the focus and energy of athletes and artists in the thick of performance. His beautiful, dynamic photos show the drama and exhilaration of the pursuit of excellence in sports and art.

 

To quote his oldest brother Charlie, Bill was the best of us. Kind, earnest, and dedicated to making a difference in the world, he inspired us with his integrity and steely determination. We will miss his wry humor.

 

Bill is survived by his wife of 35 years, Jennifer Hartigan Ziskin; his father, Hilbert Ziskin; stepdaughters, Michela Perillo Green (Rob), Laura Perillo Johnson (Christopher), and Lisa Perillo Sherrick (Robert); his pride-and-joy grandchildren, Josh Green, Maddie Johnson, Lane Johnson, and Bobby, Megan, and Sarah Sherrick; siblings, Charlie Ziskin & Kazumi Kuriyama, Ben & Lynnette Ziskin, Joe & Paula Ziskin, Jim & Lakshmi Ziskin, Dave & Connie Ziskin, Mary Ziskin & Suzanne Mudge, and Nancy & Peter Deneen; nieces and nephews, Natalie, Erica, Max, Lena, and Tommy Ziskin, Andrew and Emily Hastings, and David and Isaac Deneen; sisters-in-law, Sandra Mockry, Carol Natale (Frank), and their families; uncle and aunt, Bill & Joan Wham; and many beloved cousins. He was predeceased by his mother, Elizabeth Wham Ziskin.

 

We owe a lifetime of gratitude to Dr. Emily Etzkorn, her office staff, and the brilliant nurses and other care providers of Saint Mary's Hospital, the ICU and PCU especially.

 

At Jennifer’s request, any donations may be sent to Saint Mary’s Hospital so that continued loving care and comfort can be given to others, as it has been given to Bill throughout the years:  Foundation of St. Mary’s Hospital, 427 Guy Park Avenue, Amsterdam, NY 12010.

 

A celebration of Bill’s life will be planned in the future. We want our family, friends, and loved ones to stay safe and well.

 

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Avenue, Amsterdam, NY 12010.

 

Online condolences may be made at www.brbsfuneral.com.

 

 

“The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time

Any fool can do it

There ain't nothing to it…” 

            -- The Secret o’ Life, James Taylor,
                 One of Bill’s favorite songs.

 

 

 

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