OBITUARY – Harry J. Shapira 66

THE EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT of Heaven Hill Distilleries, who helped oversee the country’s largest, family-owned and operated producer and marketer of distilled, died on October 13.  As one of Heaven Hill’s senior executives, Mr. Shapira helped create and design the company’s two new visitor centers: the Bourbon Heritage Center in Bardstown and the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience, set to open in December in the heart of Louisville’s historic “Whiskey Row”.  He could often be seen signing bottles and talking to visitors at the Bourbon Heritage Center.  During his years of leadership, the company expanded its offerings from bourbon and other American whiskeys to a broad portfolio of distilled spirits products in virtually all segments of the industry.  Mr. Shapira was also a significant philanthropist.  He was president of the Shapira Foundation, contributing with his wife, Judy, to the Jewish Community of Louisville, Gilda’s Club of Louisville, the Speed Art Museum, and the Fund for the Arts.  He also was a board member at the James Graham Brown Cancer Center at the University of Louisville.