The coworkers of slain city employee Greg "Ziggy" Zyszkiewicz unveiled a memorial in his honor Tuesday outside of the Water Tower and Municipal Building.
It's been five months to the day since the Milwaukee city inspector was gunned down on the job.
For the family of Zyszkiewicz, the last five months have been extremely difficult. However, they've used Ziggy's motto to get them to Tuesday: One foot in front of another.
Ziggy used the motto when he was racing at Pike's Peak or racing up the stairs at the US Bank building. As an avid fitness racer, it's a motto that kept him on the right track; mentally strong enough to complete the task at hand. Now, it's a motto his friends, family and former co-workers can use to try and get through each day without him.
Tuesday may have been one of the most difficult days for them to get through. It's a day they all got together for "Ziggy-Fest." A day of fun for Greg Zyskiewicz's birthday. Today, they all got together again but this time, without Ziggy.
"We will never forget Ziggy," said Commissioner Preston Cole with the Department of Neighborhood Services. "One-hundred years from now, there will be a testament to who Ziggy was and what he stood for."
That testament is in the hearts and minds of those who were closest to Ziggy. However, there is now a more physical reminder of the man everyone loved.
Outside the Municipal Building, a new area for people to sit and remember. The building where Ziggy loved to go into for work and greet his co-workers with a smile will have a permanent structure with his name. So his co-workers can put one foot in front of another as they pass a bench and stone with the name "Ziggy" on a plaque.
"It seems fitting to have such a beautiful memorial outside," said Heather Zyskiewicz-Sharafinski, Ziggy's daughter. "It makes even more sense to have it outside his work. A place he loved. His coworkers were his friends and the part of work he loved most. As his coworkers enter every day, please smile. It's ok to feel the hurt and sadness but know he is still here and will live on in our hearts."
Ziggy's children and wife spoke to a large crowd outside of his place of business. They were surrounded by people who he impacted in ways they learn about every day.
"Our dad meant the world to us," Zyskiewicz-Sharafinski said. "But it's clear he meant a lot to the world. Please remember, when it seems impossible to go on, just put one foot in front of the other. We remember how our dad trained for races. For you dad, we'll try to do as you did. Put one foot in front of the other."
"It's bittersweet," said Ola Zyskiewicz, Ziggy's wife. "I'd much rather have Greg here celebrating Ziggy-Fest. It was a big deal of a day. Today is his birthday. It means a lot that people are not going to forget him. I'm surprised people have not forgotten because as time goes by, people go back to their routines and I don't feel like we have one anymore. Just that people still care enough and are coming out and sharing the love and stories and supporting us, it really means a lot."
