Allan D. Shapiro, 93

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Allan Donald Shapiro, 93, born April 21, 1923, in North Adams to Annie Kronick and Samuel Shapiro, died on Tuesday, September 20, 2016.

Mr. Shapiro graduated from Drury High School in 1941 and Purdue University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1945. In 1946, he was employed by the Department of Electrical Engineering at MIT for U.S. Army on the team that stabilized the cannon on military tanks.

He returned to North Adams to work in the family business Shapiro Motors, then opened Shapiro Chevrolet and added Oldsmobile. For 40 years, the dealership was an employer of many jobs, sold cars to generations of families, and provided new convertibles to the Fall Foliage Parades.

He married Lorraine Sisselman in 1949 and at 35 years old designed and built the home they have lived in for 65 years. He enjoyed investing in commercial property and was the co-builder of Wheel Estates in North Adams.

He was an advisor for the automotive department for the Charles McCann Technical School. He was an active member of Beth Israel Synagogue on Church Street in North Adams and was a member of the North Adams Historical Society. He raised miniature horses, loved solving problems and in his later years invented several products and obtained a patent at a late age in home construction. Known for his jokes, fixing things and developing inventions, he  was friendly to everyone who met him.

He leaves his siblings, Helen Maislen of Pittsfield and Lillian Glickman of North Adams; hree children, Martin and wife Kathy of Travelers Rest, S.C., Edward and wife Margaret of North Adams, and Amy Shapiro and deceased husband Peter Marsters of Ashfield, Mass.; and six grandchildren, Mathew Shapiro, Jeffrey Shapiro, Scott Shapiro, Rosie Marsters, Emma Marsters and Austin Sanders.

He was predeceased by his siblings Rose Korn (Nat Korn), Stanley Shapiro (Sydelle Shapiro) and Sheldon Shapiro (Sandra Shapiro).

Funeral notice: The funeral service will be held Thursday, Sept. 22, 2016, with grave sight service at 10 a.m. at Southview Cemetery, North Adams, followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m. at Congregational Beth Israel on Lois Avenue in North Adams followed by a meal of consolation at the synagogue.

Arrangements are under the direction of Paciorek Funeral Home. Donations can be made to Hospice Care in the Berkshires.