WOOSTER – Jerry Shapiro, beloved family man and friend, member of the Knesseth Israel Temple, creative entrepreneur, and lifelong resident and devotee of the Wooster community, passed away peacefully in his sleep September 3 under the tender care of Brookdale Senior Living.
Born October 26, 1926  in Wooster, he claimed all his life that his mother Razel told him he was such a beautiful baby that people from miles around would visit just to look upon him. He arrived into this world weighing a substantial amount, a foreshadowing of years to come when he insisted he was just staying in shape in case the Browns needed a new lineman.
After graduating from Wooster High School and studying at the College of Wooster, he was a member of the U.S. Navy during WWII.
He then returned to Wooster and worked in the family scrap business, the Wooster Iron & Metal Company, for the remainder of his career, joining with his brother and other members of the community to grow the firm that started in his father’s peddler’s cart into a burgeoning business.                                                                                                                                                                                                          
His focus on building for the future was evident in the development of other businesses, his dedication to growing and sustaining the local synagogue, as well as his generous contributions to charitable endeavors, including his eagerness to quietly supportcommunity projects related to schools, the parks, and challenged youth.
His eternal love is Florence, whom he courted in faraway Akron and married in 1954.     His dedication to family was absolute, and his loyalty to friends renowned. His trademark sense of humor and sweet disposition sometimes hid his steadfast underlying principles, but those principles of family, good will, modesty, independent thinking, kindness, and curiosity endured throughout his life, even as he grappled with the infirmities of mind and body in his closing years.
He is survived by Florence, a brother and a sister, a sister-in-law and a brother-in law, three children and their spouses, eight grandchildren (plus two), one great-grandchild, nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.
His funeral service will take place Sunday September 6 at 11:30 at the McIntire Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home. After his burial at the Wooster cemetery, a reception at the Knesseth Israel Temple will be held. All are invited and welcome to the service and the reception.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Knesseth Israel Temple, 1670 Cleveland Rd., Wooster, OH 44691 or to a charity of the donor ™s choice.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com.
 

Memorial Contributions
Knesseth Israel Temple, 1670 Cleveland Rd., Wooster, OH 44691 or to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Service
Services will be Sunday, September 6, 2015 at 11:30 a.m. at the funeral home

Visitation
There will be no calling hours