Richard B. Shapiro

Dick "Banks" Shapiro, 94, died peacefully at home in North Kingstown on February 27, 2025. He was the husband of the late Joyce “Ducky” (Baron) Shapiro. Born in Mount Vernon, New York, he was the son of Samuel O. Shapiro and Frieda (Himmelman) Shapiro.

Dick owned and operated Special Delivery Company for the past 25 years, delivering magazines throughout the state of Rhode Island. He served as Chairman of the North Kingstown Asset Management Committee for nine years, while overseeing the building of the North Kingstown Senior Center and Public Safety Building.   

Starting in the mad man era in New York City, he worked in all aspects of the publishing industry during his earlier years, from sales, creating the first "greatest hits" album of the Big Bands, to VP of the National Enquirer, where he invented the idea of having it at the checkout counter.  He worked in magazine and newspaper distribution in Washington DC, New Jersey, Massachusetts  and Rhode Island, running the biggest magazine distribution companies in his industry. 

He is survived by his loving sons, Michael C. Shapiro and partner Larry Will of Laguna Niguel, California; Peter C. Shapiro and wife Sandra (Dutton) Shapiro of Tuftonboro, New Hampshire; grandchildren Chelsea Shapiro and Derek Shapiro; great-grandchild, Jacob Shapiro; and nieces Ann Shapiro, Lysa Conlon and nephew's Paul Shapiro and Robbie Baron. He was pre-deceased by his brother Alan Shapiro and sister-in-law, Sue Shapiro.

A memorial service will be held at his Special Delivery company office in East Greenwich on March 15th at 11:00 A.M.  A donation can be made in his memory to the Beacon Hospice, 1130 Ten Rod Road, North Kingstown, Rhode Island.

Arrangements have been entrusted to THE CRANSTON-MURPHY FUNERAL HOME of WICKFORD.

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