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Joel Shatzky Obituary
Retired SUNY Cortland Professor of English Emeritus Joel Shatzky passed away April 3rd, 2020 at the age of 76, after contracting Covid-19. Joel was a great colleague and dear friend in the SUNY Cortland community, as well as devoted husband, dad and grandad. He served SUNY Cortland as a professor for 37 years. Joel was a talented and prolific writer, playwright, and editor, with plays performed at SUNY Cortland, in New York City, and abroad. Activist/artist to the end, he left a legacy of great satisfaction and admiration. Dr. Shatzky is survived by his wife Dr Ilana Abramovitch, his son Ben Shatzky, daughter Judith Shatzky, and two grandchildren. The family will plan a memorial at a later date when gatherings are safely permitted.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Joel Shatzky
Sponsored by The Ithaca Journal.
Leonard J. Lehrman
April 2, 2025
The photo of me, Helene and Joel at our SUPERSPY curtain call at Medicine Show is in my book, CONTINUATOR: The Autobiography of a Socially-Conscious, Cosmopolitan Composer, just published by Dorrance Press. You can order it here: https://tinyurl.com/ContinuatorPreOrder Lots of stories about Joel therein too!
Alyssa Casale
May 15, 2020
Professor Shatzky changed my career trajectory. I was a history major taking Into to Drama as an elective. One day he asked me to meet him in his office. He told me he read my paper and felt I should change my major from History to English. He read my paper and was impressed by the quality of my work. As a reserved sophomore, I couldnt believe he singled me out for praise. I changed my major to Elementary Ed with a English concentration. I never forgot Professor Shatzkys encouragement even to this day. Rest well Professor. You have made an impact.
Alyssa Casale
May 15, 2020
Dr. Shatzky was my professor 20 years ago. I was very quiet and reserved and one day he asked me to meet him in his office. I went in and he told me that after reading my writing he truly saw something in me and felt that I should change my major to English from History. I made English my minor thanks to his encouragement. I still think of him fondly today as one of my biggest career influences because of his confidence in me as a writer. Rest well Professor.
Feb. 23, 2014 Superspy!CurtainCall Lehrman,Williams,Shatzky
April 26, 2020
Feb. 23, 2014 Superspy! Curtain Call
Leonard Lehrman
April 26, 2020
35 years ago Joel adapted Chekhov's CHERRY ORCHARD for Lutz Mayer's music at SUNY-Cortland, Carol Skinner remembers. She was also in his & Leonard Lehrman's SUPERSPY!: The S-e-c-r-e-t Musical in Ithaca Mar. 20, 1988, which went on to play in Paris, Boston, Long Island, Center for Contemporary Opera, and then, "new & improved" at Medicine Show in Feb. 2014. Joel also dramaturged for Leonard's BIRTHDAY OF THE BANK at Lake George (1988) and librettoed NEW WORLD: An Opera About What Columbus Did to the "Indians" (Puffin Commission, 1991-93). He will be remembered forever, especially lines of his like: "That makes sense, I suppose...."
Feb. 23, 2014 Superspy Curtain Call: Lehrman, Williams, Shatzky
Leonard Lehrman
April 26, 2020
Feb. 23, 2014 Superspy!: The S-e-c-r-e-t Musical, Curtain Call with Leonard Lehrman, Helene Williams, Joel Shatzky
birgit hoelzel
April 25, 2020
Dear family and friends of Joel,
I have been a constant reader of Joel's work for more than 10 years who lives in Germany. His voice and wit and critical reflections accompanied and enriched my life. I'm so very thankful that I got to know this extraordinary man and writer who shared his texts with me. Whoever got to know Joel will not forget his generosity and friendliness and the love for life, for literature, for music, for his family and for his friends he had. He will always stay with us through his texts and our memories of his fine character and spirit. I miss you, Joel. My feelings are with all the others that miss you. All the best from Birgit
Denys Everingham
April 24, 2020
My son Eliot and I met Joel and Ben at the Suzuki festival in Ithaca. Joel was so friendly and the kids got along great, they invited us to their home where we met Dorothy and Judith, who was quite young. They were so welcoming! Later the whole family visited us at our home near Philly where we went to the Liberty Bell and the historic sights. We lost touch later, something I've always regretted. Please accept my condolences for the loss of this warm, friendly, progressive and very alive man who touched us all. We are so sorry he's gone. Denys Everingham
Doug Galke
April 23, 2020
I took a Lit course from Dr
Shatsky as a sophomore at SUNY Cortland. He was the most encouraging English teacher I had ever had. He showed an interest in me as a student and as a person and along the way gave me confidence in my ability to write. I will always be grateful. Please accept my deepest condolences.
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