Harry Herman Shapiro

He is survived by his loving wife Ilene (Bloch) as well as many close cousins and dear lifelong friends around the country. Harry grew up in Rockville Center in Long Island, New York and attended Oceanside High School. He was an accomplished French Horn student and was proud to have attended Julliard prep school as well as several summers at Indian Hill Music and Arts Camp in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.

He graduated in 1973 from State University of New York at New Paltz where he majored in his passions of literature and creative writing. He continued masters level courses in literature at Queen's College while beginning his long and successful career in Advertising and Marketing. He began working for JC Penney as a copywriter in the catalog division in New York and moved to Dallas as Creative Project Manager when the company relocated there in 1988. He was recruited by Signet Jewelers and moved to Akron, Ohio in 1994 where he retired as Vice President of Creative Services in 2015.

Harry loved life and, following retirement, pursued his many interests and passions. He loved travel, reading and learning new things. He was committed to fitness and was a regular at the Akron General Health and Wellness Center in Bath for many years. He was a generous supporter of The Cleveland Orchestra as well as many arts organizations and animal charities. He served four years as president of the volunteer board of The Friends of the Main Library in Akron and continued his contribution there after his tenure in that office. Most recently, he decided to recommit himself to the French Horn and dedicated himself to that goal via weekly lessons and daily practice. More than any of his significant accomplishments, Harry will be remembered for his remarkable personal qualities. He was highly intelligent and exceptionally witty. He loved to laugh and was kind, caring, humble, and generous. He touched many lives as a supportive mentor and an exceptional friend. He will be dearly missed by many. Truly, a life well lived.

A memorial service will be held at Berkowitz-Kumin-Bookatz Memorial Chapel, 1985 S. Taylor Rd. Cleveland Heights, OH 44118 on Sunday, February 9, 2025 at 11AM. In lieu of gifts of flowers or food, please make donations in Harry's honor: The Glioblastoma Reasearch Organization.