HERBERT M. SHAPIRO

1935 - 2016

SHAPIRO, Herbert M. Of Chestnut Hill and Old Orchard Beach, ME on October 17, 2016. Beloved husband of Barbara (Kirshenbaum) Shapiro. Loving father of Herb's special adopted daughter Feel Better Shapiro. Devoted son of the late Benjamin L. Shapiro and Lottie (Kronenberg) Shapiro. Dear brother of the late Diane (Shapiro) Applebaum. Fond cousin of Beth Levy, uncle of Stephen Applebaum & his wife Gail Applebaum of Long Island, NY, and great uncle to Rebecca, Bradley and Laura. He is also survived by his brother-in-law Dr. Gerald Kirshenbaum & his wife Joan of Denver, CO and his niece Dr. Susan Silver & her husband Andy of Denver, CO and great niece and nephew Maddie and Sam Silver of Denver, CO. Pass the word-It's Herb himself. Saracen is gone.

Most of his military career was a shadowing existence, hence there is no written record of it even existing. He returned home and became Vice President of the ABC Linen Service. In 1970 he entered the financial service industry and in 1988 he and his wife Barbara started the HMS Financial Group which has grown to become one of the premier wealth management and financial planning firms in the area. Even at 81 years of age and after battling a multitude of illnesses for over 40 years he was still connected to the office every day. Very few people knew about these illnesses. His feeling was, "Why talk about them, everyone has their own problems." He was active in many charities and fundraising groups. He was a four time Master of Shawmut Lodge AF&AM. He and Barbara were members of Temple Emeth and staunch supporters of the State of Israel. He was a passionate Red Sox fan and equally passionate Yankee hater. In his younger days for a short period of time he was a standup comic. He performed in summer stock in Maine, Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York and until recently in local community theater. He was a very private person and slow in letting people "in." Barbara has sad, "I was married to him for 33 years and there are still things that I am just finding out that I never knew before." One of his secret ambitions was to become a "Lounge Rat." Two of his favorites were Billy Daniels and Lou Rawls. Herb was a complex and very much a Renaissance Man. In art, his taste ran from the Dutch Masters to Mary Cassatt to Winslow Homer all the way to original cells of the Disney movie Song of the South. He was an accomplished gourmet cook and before his illnesses, could often be found on weekends in his kitchen experimenting. His taste in music ran the gamut from Willie Nelson to the New Orleans Jazz of Al Hirt and Pete Fountain (Columbus Stockade Blues was one of his favorites) to Broadway shows all the way to the classics. His favorite classical piece was the "Meditation from Thias." When he was a kid, he was a camper at Camp Arundel in Raymond, Maine, where he became fascinated by the Blackfoot Indian Nation. He loved spending time in Maine with Barbara-it was never enough, at their oceanfront getaway in Old Orchard Beach. Everyone knew where they stood with Herb. What you saw was what you got. He was tough, but never asked more than he was willing to give. When asked what he thought was his greatest accomplishment he never hesitated: "Meeting and marrying Barbara." He will be sorely missed. Services at Temple Emeth, 194 Grove Street, Chestnut Hill, on Wednesday, October 19 at 2:00pm. Interment at Sharon Memorial Park. Memorial observance at Temple Emeth immediately following the service. Shiva continuing Thursday from 2-4:00pm and 6-9:00pm, Friday 2-4:00pm, and Sunday 2-4:00pm. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project, 150 Cambridge Park Drive, Suite 202, Cambridge, MA 02140.

Levine Chapels, Brookline

(617) 277-8300

www.levinechapel.com