Irvin “Irv” Schapiro

Irvin Schapiro passed away August 19 at the age of 93. A proud lifelong resident of Endicott, he lived a long, happy, healthy and fulfilled life. We will celebrate the fact that he was so well loved. His kindness and generosity were a blessing and will never be forgotten. Irv was a U-E graduate then enlisted in the US Navy. He served as a Communications Officer stationed in San Diego, Hawaii, Guam and the Philippines. He returned to Endicott, and along with his parents Joseph and Sara successfully ran Schapiro’s Men’s & Tuxedo Shop for 65 years on Washington Ave from which his sons’ businesses started. He was instrumental in creating the Washington Avenue Merchants Association and Parking Authority.Irv and his wife Barbara (Steidlitz from Syracuse) would have celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary on August 26th. They dated for only six weeks prior to their engagement. They were inseparable and did everything together (except Sunday mornings when Irv would ride horses with his pals). They lived in the same home in Endwell for 59 years and loved spending their winters for the past 28 years in Boynton Beach, Florida with good friends and playing golf. Irv was the gold standard as a parent. He taught his sons, Robert (Lori), Michael (Sue), and Jeffery (Carolyn) all from Vestal, NY to be loving husbands, parents, and honorable business people. His grandchildren, Evan, Tyler (Hayley), Colby, Jared and Lindsey, who referred to him as “Papa”, looked up to him as a role model and knew he would never said NO to anything they wanted. He was there for every activity and life event, and his grandchildren regarded him as the best driving instructor around. He is survived by his sister Beatrice and brother Kenneth. Irv’s family was a founding member of Temple Beth El in Endicott and later belonged to Temple Israel in Binghamton. Irv will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

The Funeral will be at Temple Israel this Sunday at Noon with calling hours starting at 10:30 am. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Temple Israel Building Fund or Lourdes Hospital Foundation. Shiva will be observed at the family home at 410 Stark Avenue, Endwell Sunday thru Tuesday 6 to 8:30 pm.