Contributions to the tribute of Michael Charles Shapiro

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Wednesday, November 7, 2018

Mr. Shapiro was a deeply admired and respected member of faculty throughout my years as a student at the high school. He later served as my supervising teacher during a student-teaching experience at the school in 1966. He was a brilliant teacher himself, a very thoughtful and incisive supervisor, and a thoroughly wonderful person. I learned a great deal from him and had an enormous regard for him. I am very sorry for Mr. Shapiro's suffering, for his death, and for the grief of his exceptional wife and children. The world was much brighter for his remarkable life and will not feel nearly so radiant without him.

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Cathie Kenny & Carol Jagoe posted a condolence

Tuesday, October 2, 2018

Sending heartfelt condolences to you, Janice, and to your family. How loved Mike was by family and community. We were deeply touched to read about the many lives he inspired, and of his many accomplishments. We know he will be greatly missed.

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James Neff posted a condolence

Saturday, September 29, 2018

God Speed Coach

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Craig Gesell posted a condolence

Tuesday, September 25, 2018

Sorry to hear of Coach's passing. He touched the lives of so many youth that passed through the halls of both the Jr and Sr High School -- including mine. Many fine memories of the tennis team road trips with Coach driving the van. My condolences to Janice, Amy and the rest of the family. He will be missed. Craig Gesell

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Mike Bierly posted a condolence

Monday, September 24, 2018

I too have many fond memories of Coach. He had an uncanny ability to balance very high expectations with genuine caring, understanding, and support. He taught us to be respectful, to be polite, to be honorable, and to be responsible. Those lessons are still with me today. Thank you, Coach.

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Leo Scoda posted a condolence

Monday, September 24, 2018

Dear Janice, I was so sorry to hear about the passing of Mike. He was a great man and did so many things for so many people. It was my privilege to get to know Mike thru the sport of tennis. His contributions to tennis helped make the sport what it is today in Penna. Leo Scoda

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Ron Pifer posted a condolence

Monday, September 24, 2018

Sorry to hear about Mike, we have been friends most of our adult life. Because of his athletic background and outstanding coaching Mike is being nominated for the Pa Centre County Hall Of Fame. I had the fortunate opportunity of informing Mike and working with his wife to prepare all the information needed for consideration. He has been my neighbor, colleague plus he put State College tennis(men and women) on the map with this individual and team outstanding success

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Art Shenk, SC Tennis Team ‘71-‘74 posted a condolence

Monday, September 24, 2018

I have fond memories of Coach Shapiro who apart from my father had the most influence on my life as a male role model during my State College junior high and senior high school years. He was an excellent teacher / coach. He clearly was technically very competent in his knowledge of both skill and strategy of the sports he taught and he was a very effective communicator. I have followed his example of being an encouraging motivator which made receipt of constructive criticism much easier to take because I always knew he was for me. As my junior high PE teacher he introduced me to tennis and basically taught me the sport from square one that I still love, play and teach on the side. And now 40 years later tennis is a sport we enjoy as a family not only our 4 adult children but our grandchildren are also picking it up. I was privileged to play 4 years for Coach on his varsity tennis team from ‘71 thru ‘74 and helped extend at the time his teams’ win streak to 98-0 a streak that lasted a number of more years with Coach featured in Sports Illustrated “Faces in the Crowd”. Coach also gave me one of my first paying jobs delivering desk advertisement blotters to students in the dorms. But what I remember most is his amazing balance between challenging us to be the best we could be on the court not only technically but always with good character and sportsmanship. He taught us the benefit of discipline and hard work and the good results it yields with his emphasis on drill work and conditioning. And equally of great value was the hospitality extended by Janice in season ending parties and other times where we always felt welcomed in their home. Much of what I have passed on to my kids and others related to tennis and life in general is a direct reflection of the impact Coach Shapiro had on my life.

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Michael Levine posted a condolence

Sunday, September 23, 2018

A very important teacher and coach to many. He was responsible for bringing Tennis to the forefront of State College. It was imperative that his athletes be polite and respectful. Playing and traveling with class were essential. There were many valuable lessons learned by those of us who had the honor to play for him. His accomplishments never got the recognition they deserved by the Tennis establishment, but those us of involved realize and greatly appreciate what he did for all of us. My sincere condolences to Janice, Amy , Mark and their families. May he rest in peace.

Michael Charles Shapiro

1935 - 2018

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