Royal Antiques owner Lester Shapiro succumbs, funeral today
LESTER BENJAMIN SHAPIRO, the owner and operator of Royal Antiques in the French Quarter, passed away peacefully on September 6, 2016, surrounded by loving family members. He was 94.
Shapiro’s family-owned business was established in 1899 and was considered one of the finer antiques establishments along Royal Street. Shapiro and his wife and business partner Nanette made many friends on buying trips to Europe, especially those to England. Shapiro had a lifetime love of tennis and he frequently competed as a member of the prestigious Queen’s Club in its annual grass court championships. Only when illness prevented it did he eventually put away his racquet. The Shapiros attended the Wimbledon Championships and were even invited to sit in the Royal Box. Shapiro recalled his competition in the Senior Wimbeldon tournament as the highlight of his tennis career.
Born a twin in Rochester, NY, Shapiro’s love for tennis was cultivated there, where he learned to play the game on the Rochester Public Courts. Those that played with him knew that they would be hard pressed to find anyone who loved the game more. Despite his never having had formal lessons, he became a member of the United States Tennis Association (USTA) and the International Cup (IC). Locally, he played tennis religiously at the New Orleans Lawn Tennis Club (NOLTC) for 66 years until he hung up his racquet at the age of 90. In his later years, he enjoyed playing for the United States against senior players from other countries. Shapiro treasured his tennis buddies at NOLTC and spent many afternoons there cultivating friendships and sometimes vigorously arguing the game.
Shapiro received a Bronze Star serving in the 5307th Composite Unit in the Army in World War ll and was a member of Merrill’s Marauders in the Burma Campaign. Merrill’s Marauders was a long penetration special operations unit, which fought in the South-East Asian theatre of the war. The unit was awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation.
He was a longtime member of the Krewe of Hermes and reigned as King Hermes in 1994.
He is survived by his beloved wife Nanette Keil Shapiro; daughters Gene (Bill Murray) and Leslee Shapiro; son Neil Shapiro (Lauren), a granddaughter; two step-grandchildren and sisters-in-law Andree Moss and Jean Grossman (Sid).
Relatives and friends of the family are invited to funeral services at Touro Synagogue, 4238 St. Charles Avenue, at 2:00 p.m. today, Friday, September 9. Visitation begins at 1:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Baton Rouge Red Cross preferred. Arrangements are by the Tharp-Sontheimer-Tharp Funeral Home. Internment will follow at Hebrew Rest Cemetery #3, 2100 Pelopidas St. Condolences may be expressed online at www.Tharpsontheimerfh.com. For more information call 504-835-2341.
