Marvin Neil Shapiro

July 1, 1936 - November 2, 2013 Born on a chicken farm in Santa Rosa, Marvin headed down south to Berkeley picking up Daryl and a law degree, and then forged onwards to the bright lights of Sherman Oaks where he begat 3 children all the while putting up the good fight in the courtrooms of California. Now that he has finished orchestrating his funeral, Marvin is still everyone's conception of the ultimate mensch. We can see the twinkle in his eye as he approaches; stylishly decked-out in bow-tie and Fedora, a throaty voice offering up a single-malt scotch, sneaking off to Pink's for a hot dog, insulting our pets, drinking with a criminal headman in Irian Jaya, belting out a chorus of "Go Down Moses", teeing off with his buddies on the golf course, announcing this years' Wise Child, gossiping with his friends on the phone, teasing his selected victim with perfection or pelting them with pies, relentlessly catalogue shopping, being pulled from the river naked uttering "remember the shrinkage factor guys!", writing a Monday Morning letter, hoisting up the flag, offering his home for celebration and for shelter to those in need, his heart, his ear and shoulder to so very, very many who considered him the finest man they have ever known. Those of us privileged to have shared his life have been awed by his noble dignity in tremendous adversity, milking each day for the maximum pleasure whether in the aisles of Costco, at the theatre, or around the family table for Shabbat dinner. Marvin proclaimed he was a "work in progress", but we, who are so many, ask what could possibly be left to improve upon? The defender of the injured and the misfits as well a mentor and teacher to those following behind, he had our backs. Excessively humble despite his significant legal accomplishments and awards including the Lifetime Achievement Award State Bar, served as past president of both the California Applicants' Attorneys Association and the Southern California Applicants' Attorneys Association and authored many groundbreaking decisions in his area of Worker's Comp. He was a partner at the Law Firm Rose, Klein and Marias. We have learned from and loved this gifted and extraordinary man for his deep morality and ethical guidance, elephant-sized heart, wry observations of life, Socratic mind, making us pee in our pants with laughter, tactfulness, generosity, and profoundly joyous yet sobering humanity. And, we thank him for bringing out the best in us all with such a full heart, sense of playfulness, and tender care. He is survived by Daryl, Robin, Matthew, Lesli, Daniel, Lila, Eyal, Ingrid and the many other family members and friends who mourn his loss. Marvin will be celebrated, treasured, and remembered by legions of friends, family and colleagues. Memorial Services will be held at Mt. Sinai-Hollywood Hills, 5950 Forest Lawn Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90068. Memorial Contributions can be made to Alzheimer's Association.