Alan S. Shapiro's Obituary
Alan Shapiro, age 81, passed away peacefully on December 17th. Al never met a stranger; he was a genuine people person. Born in Brooklyn, NY on May 26, 1934, Al was an avid golfer and staunch Yankee fan. After graduating from high school, Al joined the U.S. Air Force to train as a weather observer, forecasting the jet stream and launching weather balloons. Following his service, he returned to the States to attend college. It was there he met his beloved wife, Joan Thomajan. They married the day after graduation and moved to California where Al began his career in marketing research. In 1960, Al and Joan moved to Chicago to pursue new opportunities in sales, which ultimately took his family to Kansas, New York, and eventually Dallas. It was in Dallas that Al started his own electronics business and raised his family. Al lost his wife of 43 years, Joan, to Myasthenia Gravis in 2002. He is survived by their three sons, and seven grandchildren: Gary and Brenda Shapiro and grandchildren Ashley and Dylan; Bob and Andrea Shapiro and grandsons Alec and Blake; Ken and Meredith Shapiro and grandchildren Bennett, Hudson, and Sophia; and his sister Phyllis Shapiro. Those who knew and loved Al appreciated his dry humor, mischievous smile, and the twinkle in his eye. He volunteered at Plano Presbyterian Hospital for over six years and resided in Preston Place Senior Living, where he met his devoted and adoring companion with whom he shared his life, weekly ballroom dances, and Saturday matinees. Services will be held at 12:30 pm, Monday, December 28, 2015, at Restland Wildwood Chapel. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75243. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation.
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