It is with profound sadness that we mourn the loss of Dr. Marvin Ira Shapiro (1939-2015), son of Benjamin and Lillian (deceased), adoring husband to Roberta, loving father and father-in-law to Gregg and Renee, Rachel and Brandon and Lori and Neil, doting grandfather to Sam, Colbie, Ari, Miriam, Laurel and Davis, devoted brother to Barbara and Marty (deceased), Stan and Margaret, proud uncle to Jenny (deceased) and Mark and Eric and Helene, Sarai and Ben, and a wonderful friend, confidante and advisor to so many. Marvin passed away on October 8, 2015. He was 76 years old.
Marv was a lover of the arts, a man of the stage, with a huge, unabashed presence. In recent years he trained and performed as an actor and singer, appearing in several community theater productions in the Berkshires. Never one to shy away from the spotlight, he performed at many family functions and social gatherings.
Marv enjoyed a long and fruitful career as a psychologist and professor at Kingsborough Community College; he was a specialist in family therapy and a published author. As a young man, he served in the US Army, after receiving a B.S. from the City College of New York and Ph.D. from Wayne State.
Marv had so many interests, his curiosity insatiable. He marveled at the pace of technology and innovation, and how he felt so privileged to bear witness to such extraordinary advances during his lifetime. He was a bike rider, a poker player, a stellar omeletier and world traveler.
Marv cared deeply for his family, friends and his fur babies, and was available at any hour for anyone who needed an ear to bend, who was lost or broken, or exuberant with optimism and possibilities.
Raised Orthodox by Russian immigrant parents, Marv was a devoted member of the Jewish community at Hevreh in Great Barrington, where he and Roberta lived since 2001.
Marv left this orbit too soon, and will be sorely missed — but his family is so grateful for the extraordinary legacy he leaves behind.
The funeral will be held on Sunday, October 11th at 11 a.m. at Hevreh of Southern Berkshire, 270 State Road, Great Barrington, Mass. Burial will immediately follow at Ahavath Sholom Cemetery in Great Barrington.
The family will be sitting Shiva at their home in South Egremont starting on Sunday, Oct. 11th from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. daily concluding on Friday, Oct. 16th at 4p.m.
In lieu of flowers donations in memory of Dr. Marvin I. Shapiro may be made to Hevreh of Southern Berkshire or Jacob’s Pillow through FINNERTY & STEVENS FUNERAL HOME, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. To send remembrances to his family or sign the guestbook please go to www.finnertyandstevens.com.
