James J. Shapiro

1946 - 2013

James J. Shapiro, 66, of Middletown, husband of Nancy (Cohen) Shapiro for nearly 44 years, passed away on Sunday evening, May 12th with his family by his side, at Middlesex Hospital, following a brief illness. He was born on December 23, 1946, in Middletown, the son of the late Nathan and Shirley (Feinberg) Shapiro.
He was raised in Middletown and graduated from Middletown High School in 1964. He attended C.W. Post College where he met his wife and graduated in 1968. Following graduation, Jim worked as the Assistant Director of the Student Union at C.W. Post College, before returning to Middletown in 1971 where he worked with his father, grandfather, the late Harry L. Shapiro and brother, Stephen P. Shapiro at Shapiro's Department Store. He later worked in education serving as a substitute teacher in the Middletown public schools and as guidance counselor at Middletown Adult Education. Jim's true passions were his family and community work. He was a member of the Middlesex Community & Technical College Foundation from 1972 until 2012, when he was granted emeritus status, and served as Chairman for the Regional Advisory Council of Middlesex Community & Technical College. Jim proudly served on the Board of Trustees for the Connecticut Community and Technical Colleges from 1982 to 1996. In 1987, he received the Distinguished Service Trusteeship Award from the Association of Governing Boards of Universities & Colleges, and in 1996, he received the Distinguished Service Medal for his lifetime commitment to the community/technical colleges. In 2000, Jim received an honorary Associate in Humane Letters from Middlesex Community College-the first honorary degree ever issued by the school. He served as a Middlesex Hospital Corporator since 1976, and was a longtime volunteer at the Middlesex Hospital Phonathon, serving as the chair for many years beginning in 1982. Jim, along with Nancy, also founded Parents of Cardiac Children United in 1974, an organization committed to community and family education and financial support for Yale-New Haven Hospital's pediatric cardiology program. His volunteerism was recognized at the Connecticut Celebration 350 where Jim was named a Hometown Hero.
Jim will be remembered fondly by the community of Greater Middletown for his gregarious personality, his detailed storytelling talents and his encompassing pride for his family.
Along with his wife, Nancy, he is survived by his children, David of West Hartford, Jonathan and his wife, Sarah Shapiro of Middletown; his adoring grandchildren, Lily and Ari; his brothers and sisters, Stephen and Carol Shapiro of Middletown; Deborah Shapiro of Middletown; Howard and Patricia Cohen of Marlton, NJ; his nieces and nephews, Beth Shapiro, Jenny Rosado, Michael Shapiro, Robert Shapiro, Sarah Shapiro, Rohan Manning, Suzanne Shapiro, Courtney Cohen, Lindsay Cohen, and his many wonderful and loving aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
He was also predeceased by his sunshine girl, his daughter, Jennifer; and by his brother, Daniel.
Services will be held at Congregation Adath Israel Synagogue, 8 Broad Street, Middletown on Friday, May 17th at 2 p.m. Burial will be in Adath Israel Cemetery in Middletown. Family and friends will be received at the Inn at Middletown immediately following the service and at Jim and Nancy's home on Saturday, May 18 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Middlesex Hospital, 28 Crescent Street, Middletown, CT 06457 or the Middlesex Community College Foundation, 100 Training Hill Road, Middletown, CT 06457. Doolittle Funeral Home, 14 Old Church Street, Middletown, is handling arrangements. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.doolittlefuneralservice.com.