It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the passing of George Harris Shapiro at age 85, just two weeks’ shy of his 86th birthday. George passed away very peacefully on Sunday, May 14, 2017 surrounded by his family at Elliot Hospital in Manchester.
George was the third child of Marion and Henry Shapiro, born on May 28, 1931 in Newburgh, New York. During his high school years at Newburgh Free Academy, he was a star baseball player. He was scouted by the Yankees while in the US Navy, stationed in Puerto Rico. As the Korean War raged on he was obligated to fulfill his military commitment, serving on the USS Ammen until 1954. He met Barbara Mae Evans, a WAVE from Steubenville, Ohio, at a baseball game in Providence Rhode Island in the summer of 1952. She was 19, he was 21, and they married three months later. November 16th of this year would have been their 65th anniversary.
George and Barbara settled in Newburgh to raise their family of four before beginning a series of moves to places like Japan, Hawaii, Alaska, Michigan, Colorado and eventually settling in the Nashua/Merrimack region for the first time in the early 1980’s, and returning again in the late 1990’s. George was the Chief of Morale, Welfare and Recreation at Hanscom Air Force Base in Massachusetts, as well as at several other bases during his decorated career. He played and coached softball and basketball teams into his 70’s including the Nashua Women’s Softball Teams, and the freshman boys’ basketball team and the girls’ softball team for Merrimack High School. He also loved volunteering for Friday Night Teen Nights at the Merrimack YMCA. On and off the field, George was a coach, a friend and a gentleman to everyone in the community.
George is survived by his wife, Barbara, his four children and their spouses, Janice (Susan), Kenneth, Sharon (Martha) and Cynthia, his grandson Jordan who he was a father to, Dominic, Travis and granddaughter Demerie. George will be remembered for his kind heart and smile. We can’t imagine our world without him but we know he will live on in our hearts forever.
Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend calling hours with the family will be from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM on Friday, May 19th at Rivet Funeral Home, 425 Daniel Webster Highway, Merrimack, (603) 424-5530. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Merrimack Fire and Rescue Department 432 Daniel Webster Highway Merrimack NH 03054 in honor of George Shapiro. To leave an online condolence please visit www.rivetfuneralhome.com
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