Obituary of Seth E. Shapiro

The family and friends of Seth Eben Shapiro are saddened to report his sudden death on Wednesday, April 10,th 2013. Seth was the son of noted labor mediator/arbitrator Irving R. Shapiro (1916-1976) and well- known local public relations journalist Lucile Darley Shapiro (1921-2006), and the brother of Jed Joseph Shapiro (2011). He was raised in the "Blandings Dream House" at 338 South Manning Blvd in Albany, and from a young age excelled at various forms of show business. His experiences in television included appearances on the Jack Benny Show and Phil Silvers Show. He appeared in the film A Face in the Crowd, and as "Sonny" in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof on Broadway, as well as radio voices including Casper the Ghost. He fostered a passion for art and culture which led him to become an accomplished guitarist under Burl Ives. He graduated from various colleges and universities including the University of Switzerland, the University of Bologna, and received his Juris Doctorate in law at the University of Albany and was admitted to the NY State Bar Association. Over the years, his impact on individuals was extensive. He had an avid love for travel and especially his fellow man, regardless of station or status. Wherever he went he brought kind words to strangers, encouraging critical thought and political discussion. His family background was to have a profound effect on his interests, promoting his studies in international labor law. He is survived by his daughters, Mollie Jo Shapiro, husband Erik DeFont, granddaughter Ayla Joy Shoshanna DeFont, Tziona Shapiro Rose, husband Chris Rose, and cousin Kerry Kurtus of Albany. Services at the Independent Benevolent Cemetery, Fuller Road in Guilderland, NY on Sunday, April 14, 2013 at 12 noon. Donations may be made to Epilepsy Research at Albany Medical Center under Dr. Anthony Ritacchio.