Sterling B. "Sonny" Shapiro

01/19/2004

Sterling B. "Sonny" Shapiro, 80, of 6444 Pumpkin Seed Circle, Boca Raton, Fla., formerly of 142 Marion Ave., died yesterday at Boca Raton Community Hospital. A longtime local businessman, he was a partner in the former Shapiro Chevrolet dealership for several years, and in the family business, A. Shapiro Steel Corp., for more than 30 years. Born in North Adams on Aug. 17, 1923, son of Joseph and Sarah "Sadie" Garbowit Shapiro, he graduated from Drury High School in 1941 and later from the New York School of Photography in New York City. A Marine Corps veteran of World War II, he served as an aerial photographer and gunner in the Pacific theater. Mr. Shapiro also had owned a Honda motorcycle franchise and was a partner in the development of the Wheel Estates Mobile Home Park. Prior to that, he owned the former Sterling Photography Studio in Pittsfield. He was a longtime member of Congregation Beth Israel, of which his family was among the founding members. He was a longtime member of the Fraternal Order of Shriners and participated with the order in several Fall Foliage Parades. He enjoyed skiing and also was an artist. He and his wife, the former Ruth Myers, were married Sept. 19, 1945. Besides his wife, he leaves two daughters, Marilyn Darack of Wayland and Jane Miller of Williamstown; a son, Allan Shapiro of Santa Fe, N.M.; a sister, Shirley Less of Newton, five grandchildren and a great-grandson. FUNERAL NOTICE -- The funeral for longtime Berkshire County businessman Sterling B. "Sonny" Shapiro will be conducted Wednesday at 1 at Congregation Beth Israel, Lois Street, by Rabbi Jeffrey Goldwasser. Burial will follow in Beth Israel Cemetery, Clarksburg. Memorial week will be observed at the home of his daugher and son-in-law, Jane and Dr. Robert Miller, 356 Oblong Road, Williamstown. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested for Congregation Beth Israel or the Berkshire chapter of Haddassah through FLYNN & DAGNOLI-MONTAGNA HOME FOR FUNERALS, West Chapels, 521 West Main St., North Adams, MA 01247. Survivors include five grandchildren, Dr. Jeremi Carswell, Jesse Shapiro, Jacob Shapiro, Sarah Miller and Elizabeth Miller; a great-grandson, Oliver Carswell; a daughter-in-law, Anou Shapiro; two sons-in-law, Dr. Robert Miller and John Darack, and a great-grandson-in-law, Dr. Brett Carswell. He was known to be a fair and honest businessman.

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