Milton D. Shapiro | Librarian, 93

Milton D. Shapiro, 93, of West Philadelphia, a longtime librarian and volunteer, died of kidney and heart failure Monday, Nov. 22, at Pennsylvania Hospital.

Although he was born in the Frankford section, Mr. Shapiro liked to point out that he had lived in University City "since before it was University City," according to his son Joseph J. He graduated from West Philadelphia High School in 1934 and from the University of Pennsylvania in 1937.

Mr. Shapiro then went to work for the family children's dress business, Shapiro Manufacturing Co. at 56th and Spruce Streets, handling deliveries, accounting, sales, and scheduling.

The dresses consisted of piecework made in people's homes and assembled in a storefront factory. Many dresses with smocking were marketed by Best & Co.

Mr. Shapiro served as a first lieutenant in the Army from 1942 to 1946 in New Guinea, the Philippines, and Japan. After his service, Mr. Shapiro returned to the family business, but found sales waning and decided to change careers.

In 1964, Mr. Shapiro earned a master's degree in library science at Drexel University and became head librarian at the Helen Kate Furness Free Library in Wallingford.

Joseph Shapiro was a freshman at Drexel when his father was getting his master's. "I was in Drexel's band. I got to play 'Pomp and Circumstance' for my dad's graduation," his son said.

Mr. Shapiro volunteered in West Philadelphia as treasurer and president of the H.C. Lea Home and School Association and treasurer of the Garden Court Community Association.

In 1983, Mr. Shapiro retired, but volunteered one day a week at various libraries. He also volunteered at the American Philosophical Society, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, and the Special Collections Department at Penn.

Mr. Shapiro was married for 48 years to Mildred B. Shapiro, a teacher and community volunteer. The two met on a handball court in New York. She died in 1994.

In addition to his son, he is survived by another son, Dan; a daughter, Betsy Raburn; a sister; three grandsons; and a granddaughter.

Graveside services and burial will be at noon Sunday, Nov. 28, at Har Zion Cemetery, 1201 MacDade Boulevard, Collingdale. Memorial donations may be made to the Philadelphia Museum of Art Development Office, Box 7646, Philadelphia 19101.