Maurice enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 16 in 1948. He served two tours of duty and was a proud veteran of the Korean War.
While in the Navy, Maurice performed in an Armed Forces radio program in Seattle where he was bedazzled by a fellow performer and his future wife, Marie Chandler, originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Maurice invited Marie out for an ice cream cone for their first date, and they were married in 1952.
After leaving the Navy, Maurice began working as a page at NBC and rising to a division manager before leaving after ten years. Maurice and Marie then formed a company and worked together for 30 years in film and broadcast. They retired to Sun City West in 1994. Maurice and Marie were married for 67 years, until her passing in 2019.
Maurice was also preceded in death by his parents and his brother Fred. He is survived by his nieces, Wendy Gatlin, Dana Graves, Mary Ellen Matheson and June Fritz, and his nephew Mark Chandler.
Memorials may be made in Maurice’s name to the Disabled Veterans of America.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sunlandmemorial.com for the Shapiro family.
