Skokie Obituary: Melvin C. Waskin, 90

SKOKIE, IL — Co-author of "Mrs. O'Leary's Comet" and long-time head writer and producer for the Chicago-based Coronet Educational Films company Melvin C. Waskin died last week at the age of 90.

“Newspaper writing is bird cage toilet paper. Radio writing is evanescent; it flies away in the air. But movies last. If I’m going to write, I want stuff that’s lasting. I decided to aim for movies,” he said in a 2012 interview with the Academic Film Archive.

Waskin estimated he wrote over 1,000 scripts during his tenure at Coronet. The prodigiously productive film company was founded by David Smart, proprietor of Esquire, who constructed a complete film studio in his Glenview estate, sometimes completing multiple films per week.

Waskin was the beloved husband of 61 years to Tamara, an incredible father to three children – Laurie, Alan and David. He was a "lifeologist" to his grandchildren Talia, Marley and Amanda, an ever-wise big brother to Myrna and an admired friend to hundreds.

Services are Monday, March 13 10:00 a.m. at Chicago Jewish Funerals, 8851 Skokie Boulevard in Skokie, and visitation is Monday and Tuesday from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Top photo: Mel Waskins (courtesy AFA)