JACK SHAPIRA

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JACK SHAPIRA The family of Jack Shapira announces his passing at Seven Oaks Hospital, in the early morning hours of Yom Kippur, Monday, October 6, 2003, just weeks short of his 77th birthday. Born November 12, 1926, Jack was raised and educated in Winnipeg. He attended St. Johns High School, the University of Manitoba and the University of Winnipeg, ultimately finding his metiere and graduating with a Diploma in Television Production from New York City University. His extensive career in media took him from CKXL, Calgary, to CFPA, Thunder Bay, where he was Program Director. Locally, he was Music Director at CKY and hosted the popular "teen" targeted Club House during the 1950s. He worked as producer, writer and performer for both CBC Radio and Television, most notably The Show That Jack Built, Sit Back with Jack, and returning to television in the early 1970s as host of The Jack Shapira Show, a live audience, evening talk show featuring controversial local, national and international guests. Jack was associated as well with CJOB, initially as host of a pilot evening talk show and laterally, as host of the Action Line. He was also a guest host on CKRCs phone-in program In Touch With Today. In 1962, he realized one of his dreams when he co-founded CJQM (later CFRW) Winnipegs first "good music" station. Predating his professional media pursuits, Jacks music endeavours began in his teens when he formed a dance band comprised of talented peers. An outgrowth of this earlier experience was one of Winnipegs more notable orchestras. Over the years, The Jack Shapira Orchestra brought the big band sound to local night clubs, concerts, major social events, radio and television, as well as backing local appearances of such stars as Liberace, Tony Bennett, Rosemary Clooney, the Mills Brothers, the Ames Brothers, Peggy Lee, and appearing as the house orchestra at various annual trade shows. Throughout his concurrent careers in broadcast and as a musician, he was instrumental in providing young aspiring Winnipeg talent, such as Allen Blye and Lenny Breau, with opportunities to be seen and heard. In 1966, Jack responded to the challenge to rescue and revitalize Rainbow Stage, Manitobas near bankrupt outdoor summer theatre. Assuming the dual positions of Producer and Managing Director, together with a handful of dedicated board members, he embarked on a 22 year journey of commitment, reorganization and development which ultimately returned the theatre to its community base and its original concept as a showcase for local and Canadian talent exclusively, reasonable admission prices and a single-minded devotion to presenting full-scale, family-oriented musical theatre to Manitobans and tourists. Between 1965 and 1987, under Jacks stewardship, Rainbow Stage Theatre reached an enviable level of fiscal viability and artistic growth, together with national and international recognition for its success. Jacks varied career also included the positions of Tour Director for the Metropolitan Operas Canadian Tour, and Executive Secretary and subsequently, President, of the Winnipeg Musicians Association, Local 190, AFofM. Among his numerous involvements with his community were a 10 year term as Director of the Manitoba Centennial Corporation and later the Manitoba Centennial Centre Corporation, the Tourist and Convention Association of Manitoba, the Sales and Advertising Club of Winnipeg, Executive Vice-President, Finance, Big Brothers Association of Greater Winnipeg Inc., a term as Director of CJUM-FM (University Radio) and a member of the board of the Manitoba School for Theatre and Allied Arts. In 1967, Jack ended 41 years of bachelorhood, "inheriting" a ready-made family of three sons, whom he later adopted. He is survived by Allan and Gail (Leah Beth and Andrea Hope), Toronto, Sidney and Denise (Ian), and Jack, Winnipeg, and their mother Machelle; his sister Ruth Morris, Sherman Oaks, CA; four nieces and one nephew residing out of Canada, numerous cousins both in Winnipeg and the United States, and personal friends. Jack was predeceased by his parents, Ben Zion and Dorothy; his brother Dr. Daniel; uncle Bert Pearl; and aunts, Ann Shapira Lacey and Frances Pearl. The family wishes to extend particular appreciation to the late Dr. W. Gordon Lamberd, and Drs. John Toews and Leon Mowchan who, over the past 35 years, provided compassion, support, professional care and frequent extraordinary efforts; to Harold Buchwald for his significant and constant presence and counsel, Bernie Brick for "being there when needed"; Jacks late cousin Ben Shapiro, and those friends and professional colleagues, particularly Ken Katz, Jacob Gurevitch, Robert Lowe, Zaz Bajon, who throughout Jacks more difficult periods, were there for him; and to the doctors and nurses at Seven Oaks Hospital for their attention and care in recent months. Perhaps whatever was that illusive "something" which, throughout Jacks life kept him chasing his own personal rainbow, will at last be his at rainbows end. A graveside service will take place at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 8, at the Hebrew Sick Cemetery, Lot 24, McPhillips Street. Flowers are gratefully declined. Those wishing to remember Jack may do so by contributing in his name to the St. Boniface Hospital Mood Disorders Clinic or to a professional Winnipeg cultural organization of their choice.

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 08, 2003