Louis M. Shapera, 83, a lawyer for 50 years and former chairman of the American Jewish Congress Legal Aid Clinic in Chicago, died of cancer Tuesday, March 5, in his Lincolnwood home. Mr. Shapera volunteered for 20 years with the clinic, which provides free legal assistance in civil disputes. Mr. Shapera was born in Chicago and raised in Garfield Park. He graduated in 1936 from Marshall High School. Mr. Shapera enrolled at the University of Chicago, where he earned his bachelor’s and law degrees. During World War II, he captained a tank landing ship that transported cargo and troops to beachheads in support of amphibious invasions in the Pacific. He was discharged in 1946. Mr. Shapera practiced law with his brother-in-law in the firm of Cohen and Shapera. He played the trumpet for 32 years with the Skokie Valley Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Shapera is survived by his wife, Julie; two daughters, Ellen Gussin and Merle Shapera; and two grandchildren. Services were held.
