Jeffrey Shapiro

Jeff Shapiro, a career scientist who was well known in Gainesville as a social and environmental activist and musician died Saturday, April 19, while under hospice care in Gainesville. Though his mind was still active and alert, his body lost its short battle with interstitial lung disease.

In all of his pursuits, Jeff is remembered for his energy and cheerful disposition. “He was a generous spirit, a genuinely good person, and a bright light in the fight for justice,” said his long time partner Connie Caldwell. His son, Eric, described him as someone who was not afraid to jump in and help where he could and his son Carl said, ”He followed his heart.”

He put his energy into fighting for justice and environmental causes through the League of Women Voters, Gainesville Residents United, the United Church of Gainesville, and the Community Weatherization Coalition. He also contributed to many organizations such as Alachua Conservation Trust, Sierra Club, Union of Concerned Scientists, Food for Kids and many others.

Jeff once wrote that upon retirement, he worked “to bring resilience to our city and county through sustainable approaches to conserving our land and water in the face of our changing climate…and to conserving and growing our social fabric by empowering our neighborhoods and neighbors, especially those who suffer inequity and impoverishment.”

He was well known as a clarinet player for the Klezmer Katz, Uptown Swing, and the Gainesville Community Band. He was active in Contra Dance, English Country Dance and Tai Chi. He enjoyed photographing insects and other wildlife in his yard and on nature walks and while kayaking. With his late wife he relished scuba diving in Florida’s springs. He loved sailing and was a member of the Gulf Atlantic Yacht Club. He had served on the boards of Gainesville Oldtime Dance Society and the Rock Creek Owners Association. He could be seen several times a week running up and down the stairs at the Devils Millhopper Geological State Park.

Jeff worked with the United States Department of Agriculture as an entomologist with his main interest in biocontrol. He earned his doctorate from Cornell University in 1981, and did post doctorate work in Tucson, Arizona.

Jeffrey Paul Shapiro was born in Monterey Park, California, on September 1, 1950. He spent his early years in California and graduated from San Diego State University. He moved to Gainesville in 1998 when his late wife, Rita, was being treated for cancer. She died in 2005. Jeff adopted her two sons from a previous marriage, Carl Specht and Eric Specht, both of the Orlando area. He is survived by Carl and his wife Lori Specht, Eric and his wife Lisa Specht, and two grandchildren, Madison Specht and Jake Specht. In addition, he is survived by his partner Connie Caldwell, her son Peter Caldwell of Franklin, North Carolina, daughters Martha Osborne and Gretchen Caldwell, both of Charlotte, North Carolina, and three grandchildren, Michael Osborne, Graham Caldwell, and Miles Caldwell. He is also survived by a sister, Andrea Chavez of San Luis Obispo, Calif., and two brothers, Marshall Shapiro of San Jose, Calif., and Tony Shapiro of Seattle.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday May 18, 3 PM, at the United Church of Gainesville, 1624.NW 5th Avenue, in Gainesville.

In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the League of Women Voters and the Community Weatherization Coalition.