Irving Shapiro, 96; led group that helped launch Jimmy Fund

IRVING SHAPIRO

Irving Shapiro, past president of a volunteer organization that helped launch the Jimmy Fund, died Wednesday at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center in Roslindale. He was 96.

Mr. Shapiro, who worked in the food concession industry and immersed himself in philanthropy, was born in New Jersey and grew up in Boston, attending Boston English High. He graduated from Northeastern University Law School.

In 1958, he married the woman who would become his wife of 50 years, Charlotte (Crossman). His first marriage had ended in divorce.

Mr. Shapiro served as president of Hub Catering Co., which provided concessions for Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center, the Brockton Fair, and the dog racing track in Taunton. He also ran a company that sold candy to movie theaters.

In 1977, he sold that company to Joseph O'Donnell, owner of Boston Culinary Group. O'Donnell said Mr. Shapiro taught him everything he knew about the business.

"Irving was a pioneer in the food service concession business. He was a legendary figure," said O'Donnell.

O'Donnell said that even when Mr. Shapiro sold him the company, he continued to help in the office. He was a generous person, with money and in spirit, said O'Donnell. "Irving was always looking to raise money, sell tickets, or buy trinkets," he said.

Mr. Shapiro was one of the original founders and a past president of what is now The Variety Children's Charity of New England.

In 1948, the group, then called The Variety Club of New England, joined the Boston Braves to help out a 12-year-old cancer patient, who was known as Jimmy. It was from this collaboration that the Jimmy Fund was created. The Variety Children's Charity of New England continues to support the Jimmy Fund, raising more than $1 million dollars a year since 1991.

Mr. Shapiro was an active member of the club for more than 50 years, according to Lisa Nerich, president of the charity's New England branch.

Mr. Shapiro was always very "hands on," said his daughter Alice Hackman of Newton. She said he did a lot of fund-raising and was very active in his charity work, including arranging for children to go to Red Sox games and handing out bikes to needy children.

He also helped organize the annual golf tournament that benefits the Jimmy Fund, said Nerich. She said that even when he took ill, he was always a phone call away if there were any questions.

"He had a heart of gold. He was always there for the children," she said.

Mr. Shapiro also served as vice president of a businessmen's council for Combined Jewish Philanthropies and was founder of The Variety Club of the Palm Beaches. He was a member of and donor to many organizations, including Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Boston's Museum of Fine Arts and Museum of Science.

He enjoyed golf, opera, and watching the Red Sox. He also loved swimming and swam daily from the time he was 65 until he was 90.

In addition to his wife and daughter, he leaves three daughters, Susan Brenner of Wayland, Judy Belinfante of River Vale, N.J., and Ellen Goldberg of Newton; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. today in Congregation Kehillath Israel in Brookline. Burial will follow in Lindwood Memorial Park in Randolph.