Samuel Shapiro's Obituary
Samuel (Sam) Shapiro of Cape Coral, Florida left the loving arms of his family on Tuesday, December 9, 2025. Sam was born on December 16, 1930, in Plainfield, New Jersey to William and Edna Rose Shapiro who were immigrants from Russia and Poland. He graduated from Plainfield High School in 1947 and from Rutgers University College of Pharmacy in 1951. Married to Mae (Salesky) Shapiro in 1951, Sam and Mae shared a passion for business. They were business partners in a series of successful retail businesses from 1955 through 2001, including Reinette’s in Springfield, NJ, a children’s clothing store, Ace Drugs in Morristown, NJ, Medicare Equipment Centers in Lancaster and other PA locations, Medicare Patient Aid Centers with retail locations throughout Southwest Florida, and Medical Department Stores in Fort Myers, Florida. Sam and Mae were pioneers in medical retail which included durable medical equipment, oxygen, breast prostheses and other types of medical supplies. However, Sam’s and Mae’s greatest joys were from their 63 year “honeymoon” marriage, their five daughters, 13 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. Sam and Mae met at a NY (Catskills) summer camp when they were both in different high schools (Sam in Plainfield, NJ and Mae in Brooklyn, NY). They corresponded and traveled to be together until they each finished college, at which time they got married. Mae said she chose Sam because he was tall, smart, loving and made her laugh. He also played the violin and wrote poetry. Sam said he chose Mae because she had a brain, played the piano very well, had a beautiful smile and looked like Donna Reed, who starred in Sam’s favorite movie of all time, “It’s a Wonderful Life.” They both shared a passion for music, movies and antiques. Sam also got a lot of joy from singing and listening to songs by Al Jolson and Danny Kaye. His happiest moments were spending time with Mae in their home in Cape Coral, FL and spending time with family members wherever they may be located. He also enjoyed working in their various businesses, fishing in the Gulf of Mexico, and swimming at home. Sam was a long-time member of Temple Judea, in Fort Myers, FL. He and Mae visited the state of Israel in 1998. Mae predeceased Sam in 2014. He is survived by his five daughters: Nannette Palumbo (John, deceased) of Cape Coral, FL, Reina Schlager (Robert) of Cape Coral, FL, Lynn Shapiro Snyder (Jeffrey) of Boca Raton, FL, Jeanne Nahan, (Arthur) of Lawrenceville, NJ and Sondra Bollar (Mark) of Mountain View, CA. His 13 grandchildren include Michelle Evans (Jack), Erica Palumbo, Amanda Wick, Matthew Schlager (Lisa Norris), Rachel Good (Jordan), Isaac Snyder (Erica Strudler), Eitan Snyder, Rachel Nahan, William Nahan (Jaime), Bruce Nahan, Joshua Bollar, Hannah Bollar (Michael Gorman-fiancé), and Eric Bollar. He also is survived by 7 great-grandchildren. Sam had four brothers, Dr. Alfred Shapiro (deceased), Dr. Marvin Shapiro, NY, Dr. Bernard Shapiro, NH, and George Shapiro (Linda), NY. In lieu of flowers, donations in Sam’s memory should be directed to the Samuel Shapiro Memorial Fund established at Temple Judea, https://www.tjswfl.org.
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