A longtime local Jewish communal lay leader who worked much of his life in the scrap iron industry, Sanford “Sandy” Michael Shapiro passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 19. The Pikesville resident and Beth El congregant was 83.
“A real mensch who always knew the right thing to do and say,” wrote former Chizuk Amuno president Alan N. Kanter of Shapiro on the website of Sol Levinson & Bros. “He was a friend of mine, a client and a valued member of the Chizuk Amuno Board when I served as president. I could always count on Sandy for sage advice. I will miss him.”
A 1962 graduate of the University of Maryland, Shapiro was the president of Cambridge Iron & Metal Co. in Baltimore, a family business started in 1909 by his Latvian-born grandfather, Isaac “Ike” Shapiro.
While Cambridge Iron & Metal expanded under his leadership, Sandy Shapiro became involved in the industry association now known as the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries. He first served as the association’s chapter president and and public relations committee chair. In 1982, he was elected president of the national organization based in Washington, D.C.
He was among the industry leaders who negotiated the purchase of Scrap Age Magazine to become the association’s new publication. Now called Scrap, the magazine has a circulation of more than 10,000 readers around the world.
In 2014, Shapiro was given a lifetime achievement award by ISRI at the organization’s annual convention in Las Vegas.
Shapiro was also involved in the Jewish Museum of Maryland’s 2019-2020 original exhibition, “Scrap Yard: Innovators of Recycling.” “Scrap Yard” explored the socio-economic opportunities presented to American Jews like Ike Shapiro and other immigrant ethnic groups by the collection, storage, brokering and selling of discarded metals, rags, papers and animal hides.
Among Shapiro’s communal endeavors was serving on the board of directors of The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore. In 2010, he served as chair of The Associated’s annual campaign. He also served as chair of the Young Leadership Division and Jewish Vocational Services.
In addition, Shapiro was a longtime leader on the board of the Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore. He also was a supporter of The Soul Center, the Chizuk Amuno-Northwest High School mentorship program and the Shir Joy program at Pikesville’s Beth El Congregation.
In his spare time, Shapiro was a devoted chef, marathoner, rugby player, golfer and Maryland Terps fan.
He is survived by his wife, Kathy Levin Shapiro; his children, Jonathan D. Shapiro, Leonard Joseph Shapiro, Lindsay (Chris) Conboy, Sara (Lee) Stein, Lynn (Adam) Crooks; and his grandchildren, Sydney Conboy, Drew Conboy, Colby Crooks, Noah Stein and Maggie Stein. He was predeceased by his brother, Burton Shapiro and his parents, Selma and Joseph Shapiro.
Funeral services will be held at Sol Levinson’s Chapel, 8900 Reisterstown Road in Pikesville, on Thursday, Dec. 21, at 9:30 a.m. Interment will be at Arlington Cemetery of Chizuk Amuno, 4300 N. Rogers Avenue.
Contributions in Shapiro’s memory may be sent to The Soul Center, c/o Beth El Congregation, 8101 Park Heights Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21208, or The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore, Sanford Shapiro Legacy Fund, 101 W. Mount Royal Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21201.
The family will be in mourning at 3219 Old Court Road in Pikesville immediately following interment, with a service at 7 p.m.; on Friday, receiving until 4 p.m., with a service at 8:30 a.m.; and on Saturday from 6-9 p.m., with a service at 7 p.m.
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