Lester Benjamin Shapiro

1921 - 2016

Lester Benjamin Shapiro passed away peacefully on September 6, 2016 at age 94, surrounded by loving family members. He was born in Rochester, NY on October 22, 1921. He is preceded in death by his parents, Noah and Frumma Becker Shapiro and siblings, Morris (Mary), David (Mary), Irene Gans (David), Norman (Julia), Chick (Tillie), Louis, Ruth Pogal (Simon), and his beloved twin brother Benjamin, his niece Norma Puziss, cherished in-laws, Morris and Margaret Keil, brother-in-law, Peter Moss. He is survived by his beloved wife Nanette Keil Shapiro; daughters Gene (Bill Murray) and Leslee Shapiro; son Neil Shapiro (Lauren), and granddaughter Meggie Shapiro; step grandchildren Brandon Murray and Elizabeth Alfaro; sisters-in-law Andree Moss and Jean Grossman (Sid); nephews Keil Moss (Margaret), Peter Moss ll (MaryAnn), David Sherman lll (Susan), Richard Sherman (Stephanie), Dr. Jerome Gans (Nancy), Harvey Shapiro, Allan Shapiro (Saralyn); nieces Margo Moss (Daniel Weiner), Natalie Mintz, Naomi Gans, Joyce Benson, Lois Canter (Jay); and their many children, whom he adored. Lester received a Bronze Star serving in the 5307th Composite Unit in the Army in World War ll and was a member of Merrill's Marauders in the Burma Campaign. Merrill's Marauders was a long penetration special operations unit which fought in the South-East Asian theatre of WWll. The unit was also awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation. Lester was a gifted athlete who received tennis and basketball scholarships to the University of Alabama. He attended for 2 years before the war and returned after the war as playing Coach and Captain of the Mens' Varsity Tennis Team. He graduated with a degree in Industrial Engineering. It was at the University of Alabama that Lester met his future wife of 66 years, Nanette Keil of New Orleans. He returned to New Orleans with Nanette and never looked back. He repeatedly expressed his love of New Orleans and her family, all throughout his life, not to mention, how happy he was to have left the cold winters of Rochester! Lester owned and operated Royal Antiques in the French Quarter, a family owned business, established in 1899. He and Nanette made many dear friends on their numerous buying trips to Europe, in particular, in England. Lester combined his love of tennis with business, competing in the annual Queen's Club grass court Championships, eventually becoming a member of the prestigious Queen's Club. He and Nanette also attended Wimbledon annually and had the honor of being invited to sit in the Royal Box. The highlight of Lester's illustrious tennis career was competing in Senior Wimbledon. This brings us to Lester's love of tennis. He won many titles in his life, but, loved the game, win or lose. One would be hard pressed to find someone who enjoyed the game more than he did. Lester never had formal lessons and was taught to play by his brothers on the Rochester Public Courts. He was a member of the United States Tennis Association (USTA), the International Cup (IC), playing for the United States against senior players from other countries, and the New Orleans Lawn Tennis Club (NOLTC) where, for 66 years, he played tennis until age 90! He treasured his tennis buddies at NOLTC and spent many a raucous afternoon, after playing, in the men's locker room, "putting up a case". Lester was a longtime member of the Krewe of Hermes and received the honor of serving as its King in 1994. The family expresses its gratitude to loving caregivers Madeline Williams, Maria Burciaga and her sister-in-law, also named Maria Burciaga. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend visitation at Touro Synagogue, 4238 St. Charles Avenue at 1 PM on Friday, September 9th. Funeral services to follow at 2 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Baton Rouge Red Cross preferred. Arrangements by Tharp-Sontheimer-Tharp Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Hebrew Rest Cemetery #3, 2100 Pelopidas St., Nola 70122. Condolences may be expressed online at www.Tharpsontheimerfh.com. Information 504-835-2341