Romie Shapiro

ROMIE SHAPIRO - Obituary

The family and close friends of Romie Shapiro deeply mourn his passing at the age of 104. Devoted husband of 80 years to Blanche, Romie was a notable international philanthropist, scholar and an irreplaceable pillar of the Jewish community. Romie was born in 1910 in London, England. Son of Esriel and Jenny Shapiro, Romie practiced law in England for several years before he met Blanche, his soulmate and the love of his life. Blanche and Romie were married and came to the United States in 1941. In 1942, Romie became Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of A.J. Hollander & Co. and an international partner of the firm. In 1977 Romie and Blanche Shapiro founded the Friends of Bezalel Academy of Arts, Jerusalem. Romie was its President, Chairman and Chairman Emeritus. He also served for many years as Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Bezalel Academy itself, which awarded him the "Yakir Bezalel (Worthy of Bezalel) Award" in 1983. The Blanche and Romie Shapiro School of Fine Arts of the Bezalel Academy is an enduring tribute and legacy to an extraordinary couple. In 1942, Romie became Chairman of the American Friends of the Israel Museum where he served as Treasurer and member of its Board. Romie was also a life trustee of the Jewish Museum of New York City. He served on the Board of Trustees of the American-Israel Cultural Foundation and in 1966 he was honored with their King Solomon Award. Romie was also a member of the Board of the Benjamin Cardozo School of Law. Romie, together with his beloved wife of 80 years, Blanche, was a philanthropist, patron of the arts, and supporter of Jewish education. Romie's autobiography, So Far So Good, was dedicated to his wife with the inscription: "If another person's good qualities far outshine our own, there is no recourse but love." -Goethe. To know Romie was to love him. He was an inspiration to all who met and knew him. Romie is survived and deeply mourned by Blanche, close friends, family and members of the Bezalel community. His funeral will be held Monday, July 8th at 11am at Park East Synagogue, 163 East 67th Street. On behalf of the Friends of Bezalel; Ilan Kaufthal, Chairman; Bathsheva Rifkin, President; & Sivia Loria, Vice President.

Published in The New York Times on July 8, 2013