Dear Yvonne, Maurice and Nerida, Rochelle and Andrew, Phil and Leisel, Natalie and Jonathan; beloved grandchildren Georgia, Zander, Hannah, Liam, Solomon, Levi, Jakob and Leia; family and friends,

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We gather here today to honour the life of Michael Shapiro OAM. A beloved husband, father, stepfather, grandfather, family man, devoted friend, respected volunteer and someone whose quiet dignity touched so many lives.

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King Solomon writes in Kohelet that there is “a time to be born and a time to depart.” While there is sadness whenever a loved one leaves this world, there is also profound gratitude when we reflect on a life that was lived so fully and so well.

Ninety one years is a remarkable gift.

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But what made Michael’s life remarkable was not simply its length. It was the way he lived it.

Whenever I think of Michael, I remember seeing him in Shul. He always carried himself with quiet dignity and grace. He had a cheerful disposition that put people at ease. He never sought the spotlight. He wasn’t loud or flamboyant. Yet there was something deeply warm and genuine about him. He was simply a lovely person to be around.

That same quality remained with him until the very end.

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When I visited Michael during his final illness, I was struck by his attitude. Here was a man approaching the final chapter of life, yet there was no bitterness and no complaining. Instead, there was acceptance, optimism and quiet courage. He faced his circumstances with remarkable composure, and in doing so, continued teaching those around him how to live with dignity.

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Michael’s story began in London in 1934.

As a young boy he witnessed history unfold before his eyes, even remembering watching the Silver Jubilee celebrations of King George V sitting on his father’s shoulders.

In 1959 he married his beloved Ruth, and together they built a wonderful family. Maurice and Rochelle became the centre of their world, and together they created a home filled with love and enduring values.

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Following Ruth’s passing, Hashem blessed Michael with another extraordinary chapter in his life.

He found love again with his beloved wife, Yvonne.

Their marriage was one of genuine companionship, affection and happiness. Anyone who spent time with them could see the warmth they shared. They travelled together, laughed together, enjoyed life together and brought one another enormous comfort and joy.

When Michael married Yvonne, his family also grew.

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Phil and Natalie came into his life through that marriage, but they became much more than stepchildren. Michael embraced them as part of his family, and together with their partners, Leisel and Jonathan, they became an integral part of the life he and Yvonne built together.

Professionally, Michael enjoyed a distinguished career as an Industrial Engineer, working for Nestlé and later Alcatel.

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Like so many immigrants who arrived in Australia in the 1960s, he helped build this country through intelligence, hard work and determination.

But if you asked Michael what gave him the greatest satisfaction, I don’t think he would have spoken about his career.

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He would probably have spoken about serving others.

Retirement did not slow Michael down.

If anything, it gave him even greater opportunities to contribute.

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Whether it was Bondi Diggers Club, Bondi Surf Club, Princess Street Retirement Village, B’nai B’rith, the COA at Bondi Junction, Diamond Bay Bowling Club, or the many other organisations that benefited from his time and leadership, Michael devoted countless hours to making other people’s lives better.

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It is therefore no surprise that he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia.

Yet anyone who knew Michael also knows that he never sought recognition.

Service was simply who he was.

He loved the simple pleasures of life.

A game of bowls.

A challenging crossword.

Watching Tottenham Hotspur.

Following the AFL and rugby league.

Talking to people in the street.

Waving to children in their strollers as they passed by.

His famous egg and mayonnaise sandwiches.

A good whisky.

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And perhaps above all, the hugs that so many people remember.

These are the things that become a person’s legacy.

Not possessions.

Not achievements.

But the way they make others feel.

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This week’s Torah portion is Re’eh, which begins with one simple word:

“Re’eh” – “See.”

The Torah is teaching us that life depends not only on what we look at, but on how we choose to see the world.

Michael chose to see blessing.

He came to a new country and saw opportunity.

He retired and saw new ways to contribute.

He met people and saw friends rather than strangers.

Even during illness, he chose to see gratitude rather than complaint.

The Torah continues:

“See, I place before you today blessing…”

Blessing is not only something that happens to us.

Blessing is something we create through the choices we make each day.

Michael created blessing.

He created blessing through kindness.

Through generosity.

Through volunteerism.

Through family.

Through friendship.

Through choosing every day to make the lives of those around him a little brighter.

One of the greatest blessings in Michael’s life was the family that surrounded him.

Yvonne, you brought great happiness into Michael’s life. Your marriage was a beautiful reminder that life can bring new blessings even after profound loss.

Maurice and Nerida, Rochelle and Andrew, together with Phil and Leisel, and Natalie and Jonathan, each occupied a special place in Michael’s life. His family grew not only through birth, but through love, and that became one of the great blessings of his later years.

And to his beloved grandchildren, Georgia, Zander, Hannah, Liam, Solomon, Levi, Jakob and Leia: each one of you brought Michael immense pride and happiness. Watching the family grow was one of the greatest joys of his life, and through each of you his legacy continues.

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The Mishnah teaches:

“Who is honoured? One who honours others.”

That describes Michael beautifully.

He honoured others with his respect.

He honoured others with his humility.

He honoured others with his kindness.

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And because he honoured others, he earned the respect and affection of everyone who knew him.

As we bid farewell today, we pray that the Almighty comfort Yvonne, Maurice, Rochelle, Phil, Natalie, the entire family, and all who mourn Michael, among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

May the wonderful memories of Michael continue to inspire you.

May his gentle spirit, cheerful nature, quiet dignity and unwavering optimism continue to live on through his family and through the countless lives he touched.

And may the time soon come when Hashem fulfils His promise to remove death forever, wipe away every tear from every face, and reunite us with our loved ones with the coming of Moshiach.

May his soul be bound up in the bonds of eternal life