Daring Spirit and Magnetic Smile
Zack Gys was a dynamo, a talented, and charismatic young man with a winning smile and huge heart. An avid sportsman and passionate competitor, he was thrilling to watch and engage with. Hockey, baseball, snowboarding, and skateboarding were his favorites. When he was off the ice or field, he was a deeply sensitive and introspective spirit, one that appreciated fine art and music as well as political conversations. Kind and sensitive in the deepest depths of his soul yet strong enough to show off, he’d often sweep his mother, Louise, off her feet, twirl her around, and tell her he loved her. An outgoing and humorous outlook made him indispensable in the lives of his friends. His mother, father, brother Nicholas, and sister Taylor miss seeing his face and receiving the hugs he so often gifted them.
Attending and navigating treatment placed Zack in the circles of many others struggling with substance use disorder. Zack’s mother recounts the impact he had on the lives of his peers. “I still hear tales from others about how [Zack] aided them in battling their illness, and it consoles me to know that he contributed to others overcoming this relentless disease.” He became the mentor, the boon, that others needed to succeed in their battles. He was cherished, respected, and admired.
Every summer, Zack, and his family traveled to Seabrook Beach for a few weeks. During those trips, his mother would capture her children’s images with a picture. Those photographs line the walls of Zack’s family home. The final picture is a bittersweet reminder of those good times, as addiction to heroin cut this tradition off far too early.
At 21, he’d just barely lived. In his final months, he’d lost interest in his hobbies and passions. Whether he felt their love or not, his family and his friends were still there. And so, his legacy continues as his mother fights to raise awareness and support others in the hopes of ending losses like this one. A quote from writer Kate Miller-Wilson is Louise’s favorite. “Your sudden loss was like a doubling of my life. Now and forever after, everything I do is for both of us.”
Zack’s mother, Louise Griffin, provided the information for this narrative.
August 18, 1991-July 19, 2013-Age 21
Portrait Artist: Elizabeth Jones
Narrative Writer: Jill Denton
