Ira Shapira

November 4th, 2025

Oh, Uncle Ira, my greatest and most cherished connection to my extended family. I will always love this man, this uncle, this father, this husband, this big and little brother, this lover of knowledge, growth and wonder.
When I was a little guy, in his dentistry chair, under the bright light, Uncle Ira was the first adult to use a swear word when talking to me. “If you don’t brush, the germs will eat the food that’s left and s*** all over your mouth!”
As so many have already said, Uncle Ira was an indomitable force; with humor, inspiration, aspiration, and curiosity, he made me feel understood and seen in a family where sometimes I felt a little lost.

I will miss our annual shared-birthday chats.
I will miss how you shared yourself with my whole lil family.
Your generosity of spirit can and will never be overstated.

Thank you, Uncle Ira. We will love you forever and always, with our whole hearts, no matter what.

Steven, Lana, Alma and Nathan

~Steven Moss
~Nephew , patient, mentee, San Francisco, CA

November 1st, 2025

Ira was a mentor and a colleague. He taught me so much about TMJ from a Dental standpoint and I learned so much from him about occlusion and the effects of occlusion on the rest of the body. With his guidance, I did the first initial pilot for the Aqualizer and it worked. !!! Can you believe that when you find a patient with uneven hips and they wear the aqualizer while climbing stairs or walking for three minutes that it completely balances out their hips in about 80% of the pilot study. This is ground breaking reveals the descending effect of malocclusion on the spine and pelvis, I was able to present it at a conference for myofascial pain symposium I’m in Hawaii in honor of him.

I have a podcast called The Breathing Lab with Dr. Jenny and was able to get his essence at the conference keynote lecture and really have people understand his point of view for TMJ and Malocclusion. Here is the YouTube link for that podcast if you want to watch Dr. Ira Shapira in action. He is phenomenal and such a wise man. I will miss him dearly and would like to get this study, published and redone correctly in his honor.

Love, Dr. Jenny Hobson

~Dr. Jenny Hobson
~PT that treated his TMJ and breathing dysfunction patients., Chicago, IL

November 1st, 2025

I had the privilege of being Dr. Shapira’s patient for many years. He helped me immensely and was one of the best practitioners I have seen. He truly cared about the well being of others and always went above and beyond to help. His kindness and compassion will not be forgotten. He was also one of the most well read practitioners, who was always open to trying a variety of approaches based on new research and methodologies. I am forever grateful for the wonderful care he and his team provided. Thank you and may your legacy live on. My condolences to your family.

~Laura
~Patient,

October 27th, 2025

In 2013, after moving from Illinois to Wisconsin I was given Dr. Shapira and Dr. Amidei’s office information from a friend who knew I was looking for a dental office job (as this had been my career for 20+ years). I solicited their office with the name of the referring person who stated they had a lovely office and they were great Doctors.

After 5 minutes of meeting Dr. Shapira I knew I wanted to work with him and found him and his expertise fascinating. I was so right! He was a unique dentist with specialties that far surpassed any dentist I had ever worked for. This was exciting for me! As time went on I grew a great respect for the compassion and kindness he showed all patients which was driven by his genuine desire to make a difference and help others. This amazing gift was how he treated everyone in his dental chair and in the world in general. He was truly one of a kind. I will always appreciate my time with Dr. Shapira and Delany Dental Care.

I will miss Dr. Shapira (Shappy), his cute witty personality, his brilliance, kindness and inspiring legacy – always thinking, learning and growing. He was so very special.

My heart goes out to his friends, family and his Delany Dental Care family. Thinking of you all! Sending loves and hugs. <3

~Carla Mathy
~Past Employee/Patient, Salem, Wi

October 26th, 2025

I’ll always remember Ira telling me about the latest amazing scientific inventions of the world.
He was a genius and a great inventor of health solutions. His dedication to taking care of people was his specialty.
I will miss him and his happy smiles most of all. What a great man!
Best wishes in the afterlife!
Johnny

~John Nelson Hinde
~Good Friend, Lake Bluff

October 25th, 2025

I was so upset when Kelly called to pass on the sad news. I’ve always had a special connection with Kelly and Dr. Shapira since they saved my life when I didn’t show up for my appointment. I was home going into insulin shock. Kelly repeatedly called because it wasn’t like me to miss an appointment. The ringing pulled me out of it and I answered the phone and asked for help. Dr. Shapira stayed on the phone talking to me until the ambulance arrived. For the past 25 years, the people at Delany Dental have been like family. Dr. Shapira’s skill and guidance granted me a mouthful of white teeth and an appliance for my sleep apnea. He was very supportive and helpful when my husband was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. His knowledge was unending. He was the most amazing man I have ever met. You could ask him anything and he’d have something to share on the topic. He had a zest for life and gave it all he had.
He will be missed by so many and his family can feel proud when they hear the stories of how their father impacted so many lives.
Dr. Shapira, explore and enjoy your new surroundings. You’ve earned a new beginning!

Love, Mary Ann Punke

~Mary Ann Punke
~patient and friend, Caledonia, MI

October 24th, 2025

It was August 1986 and I was ready to open my insurance agency. I was driving around and saw that Delany Dental had some unused space. I went in and met Dr. Shapira and he offered to rent the unused part of his dental office to me for a reasonable fee. That really helped me launch my business. I soon became a patient at Delany Dental care and a long and beneficial relationship began. Thank you for helping me start my business and being a loyal friend and customer for my entire career of 39 years.
Jack

~Jack Martin
~Friend, Highwood IL

October 24th, 2025

For almost 25 years I was lucky to have been your assistant but you treated me like family and I will be forever grateful. Though out the years You were such a constant part of my life. You taught me so much, not only about work, but about life and how to carry myself with kindness, patience, and heart.

You believed in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself. You pushed me to grow, to learn, and told me to try and leave the world a better place.

I made a promise that I would stay with you, and I don’t regret a single day. Not one. Every moment, every lesson, every laugh, every late day , every treatment plan that made my head spin, all of it . I would do it all again in a heartbeat. These years flew by with you and nothing ever felt like work. We made such a good team❤️

You were always there. Always. No matter what was going on, I knew I could count on you. You cared about me, about my family, and you meant every word you said. That kind of genuine care is rare, and I was lucky to have it from you.

You made such an impact on my life. You shaped who I am today And it’s hard to imagine walking into this world without you in it. But I know you’d tell me to keep going, to keep learning, to keep doing good and to never lose heart.

So I’ll try. I’ll carry you with me in how I work, how I treat people, and how I live. Thank you for everything you gave me your time, your wisdom, your belief in me and most of all a piece of your heart. You had the most beautiful heart.

I will miss you more than words can say. You will always be a part of me.
Love you with all of my ❤️,
Tori

~Tori
~Dr.Shapira ‘s Dental Assistant,

October 24th, 2025

Dr Ira Shapira was the best dentist I ever had. I remember receiving a promotional flyer to check out Delaney dental which was right across the parking lot from the doctors office where I work. This came right at the time I was looking for a new dental practice because my husband was not happy with the one we were using. I decided to make an appointment and that’s when I met Dr Shapira. I was treated very well and when I told him about my husband and how he was not interested in going to the dentist ever again, he said make him an appointment with me and I will take care of him. I said ok, I will try. My husband agreed to go and after his first visit with Dr Shapira, he came home with a dental plan and several appointments for procedures. They treated his dental anxiety with kindness and compassion. He came home and said he liked this dentist.

Dr Shapira made us feel like we were his favorite patients. When my husband and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary with a trip to Cancun, we returned home to a box of chocolate covered strawberries from Dr Shapira! He was a great listener and remembered our anniversary from a conversation with one of us while we were in his dental chair trying to talk while he is working in our mouth lol. 😆

Dr Shapira was not just my dentist, he was also a patients at the ortho practice I work at . Whenever he would call to make an appointment and I just happened to answer his call, I would make sure he got an appointment right away. I had to take care of my dentist 😊

I am so grateful I was able to experience the kindness and care Dr Shapira shared with all of his patients, he will truly be missed, may he rest in peace 🙏🏽

~Monica Williamson
~Patient, Zion

October 23rd, 2025

As a patient of Ira’s, and the reason why me and my familiy all met him, I also wanted to leave a message by myself.
Ira was more than just my dentist, He was the first person I had met to offer an alternative solution to my pain, other than neuroligical medication in high doses, which was, in fact, not working.
It took him just 5 minutes in a zoom call to figure out I did have jaw problems, and he said literally: “I don’t know if I’ll. be able to cure you, but I’ll do everything I can to make it better”. I think that sums up what Ira stood for: Helping other people, specially those who were under unimaginable pain, and whose the traditional healthcare system wasn’t working.
Even though we met all the way back in april of 2021, I was still communicating with him through email and text, until a couple of weeks ago. He was the only person I wholeheartedly trusted in dealing with my treatment, even if he was very far away.
My family and I joked that he was “god”, because for me, when it came to my health, he was the only person that I listened to and never protested against. There were no if or buts. If he recommended something, I would do it.
Just a couple of weeks back, I sent him an email, updating him on my progress, and going through the plans for the future of my treatment here in Chile. I didn’t recieve an answer. I thought it was odd. Ira usually responded really quickly. Altough when we spoke he always seemed to be doing well, this scenario did cross my mind. But, I didn’t say it out loud, as if verbalizing it was the thing that would make it true.
When my family and I recieved the news, even though I had been his patient for years, and my treatment isn’t even closse to being done, not once did it cross my mind. All I could think of was how much I would miss my 5th grandparent, how he wouldn’t be able to come here to Chile and come to the chilean south with us, something that we all talked about doing many times.
He will surely be missed by every single patient he has helped have a normal life once again, with his creative problem solving, genious level intelligence and great wisdom. We can’t never forget that very particular sense of humor, always telling jokes (he always told me the same lawyer based jokes, as that is what I’m studying), complemented by the fact that every time he talked was like he was going to deliver a punchline.
You will forever be missed.
With love,
Ariel Silberman

~Ariel Silberman
~Patient and friend, Santiago, Chile

October 23rd, 2025

Thank you very much, Ira. Forever grateful

~Daniel, Yael, Aeiel and Galit Silberman
~Patients and Friends, Santiago Chile

October 23rd, 2025

I was deeply saddened to hear that Dr. Shapira had passed. I am forever grateful to Dr. Shapira for helping me get out of TMJ pain and disability and giving me back my quality of life. I learned SO much from him about what was happening to me, and what the root causes were, how the airway was involved in my pain, and most importantly, how to improve those conditions through neuromuscular TMJ dentistry, airway expansion, and in my case, prolotherapy. With this knowledge, he also helped to guide my son’s care with similar issues. I truly thank God I was blessed to cross Dr. Shapira’s path. What a gift to his patients and to the world. I truly hope his innovative healing methods continue on by brave dentists who are willing to think outside of the box as Dr. Shapira did to help his patients. On a personal level, Dr. Shapira was a warm and heart centered person who radiated with an almost child like curiosity, joy and optimism. I really enjoyed talking to him every time I saw him. The last time I saw him this summer, he told me a few things I will carry with me on my journey forward. One being that of his positive mindset and how his mother taught him to see the glass spilling over, rather than half empty or half full. Another thing he told me that day was that being able to be in a profession of healing and helping others was one of the most rewarding things to him. Those words, and all of his lessons will stick with me throughout my life. I am blessed to have known him and to have been his patient.

~Odessa Aronson
~patient, Dyer, IN

October 23rd, 2025

We will be forever grateful to Ira for helping our son Ariel and he will always be family to us. Thank you for everything. We will never forget you

~Daniel, Yael, Aeiel and Galit Silberman
~Patients and Friends, Santiago Chile

October 23rd, 2025

We met Ira via Zoom, when we were desperate to find a solution to our son’s pain, after not having any definitive answer for over six months. When we asked him for help, he inmediately said yes. Since the first moment we arrived in Chicago after traveling from our home in Chile, he treated us like family. For three months, we spent every day at Delany Dental Care. Ira and his team would greet us with huge smiles, answer all of our questions and let us use the best waiting room we have ever seen. Since the very beggining, we had an incredibly special connection. Ira’s deep empathy and understanding made us feel seen, heard and comforted during a very hard and hopeless period in our lives. We spent most weekends together, going out to eat, to his house, and he even invited us to join his sister Esther and her family for shabbat dinner many times. We’ll always be immensely grateful for how he recieved us and made us part of his family. He was a mentor, a guidance, a light and like a grandfather for our children. We thank G’d for granting us the blessing of meeting and sharing such a difficult moment in our lives with a man full of good, strength, limitless energy and a powerful mind, who taught us that we can overcome any obstacle in life. He was such a special and unique person… We were stunned at how he could always find new ways to help people and make sure their health was in the best state possible, because his purpose in life was helping others. We are heartbroken that we cannot be there to say goodbye, but we’ll keep him alive in our memories and always carry him in our hearts. When we think about not being able to talk to him or see him again, it breaks our hearts all over again. Whenever something important happens in our lives, we’ll always think of him, and how he was overjoyed when our children told him about school and their accomplishments, and he always told them to be the best possible version of themselves.

Our condolences to all of his family and friends, specially his children and Moishe, Esther and Deborah, who received us at their home and made us feel like a part of their family.

We love you Ira, and we’ll miss you always.
With love, your adopted family,
The Silberman family (Daniel, Yael, son Ariel and daughter Galit).

~Silberman Family (Daniel, Yael, Ariel & Galit)
~Patients and friends, Santiago, Chile

October 23rd, 2025

Dr. Shapira, you were an incredible leader and mentor. I’m grateful for your patience, taking the time to teach me, and most importantly for seeing that glimmer of potential in me. Your wisdom, kindness, and experience will be truly missed. Wishing your Family comfort and peace during this difficult time.

~Diane Z
~, Illinois

October 23rd, 2025

I met Dr Shapiro through my cousin Dr amidei they were partners every time I came to visit my cousin at the dental office or had procedures done ira would come over and always talk to me he was a gentle beautiful man funny kind he will be missed

~Carlo bernardi
~Friend, Waukegan il

October 23rd, 2025

Ira was a man I only got to meet a few times sadly, but those few times are times I think about often. He was always very kind to me and eager to discuss and learn what I knew about. We both loved puzzles and enjoyed seeing one another solve them. I will miss him and always wish I could have known him better.

~Jamie MacLennan
~Friend, Kirkwall

October 23rd, 2025

Ira was my dear friend and I will greatly miss him.
As youngsters, we were next-door neighbors for 12-years but we were friends forever (well 68 years).
As young kids growing-up, we did a lot of things together – all memorable. We built the best marble-pit on the block and then blew it up with fireworks on the fourth of July. We built a pseudo-bowling alley in Ira’s basement and a photography dark room in my basement. We rode bikes together everywhere – in the neighborhood , to high school (if we missed the bus), to pick-up lunch in the summer at some greasy spoon – it was all great. In high school we did clubs together especially chess club and photography club.We were kids and we were friends.
As adults we interacted less frequently since I lived in New Mexico for 19 years. But when I returned to Chicago, we saw each other more often and did stuff together again. Ira always had some “out-of-the-box” idea for my company’s product- either a new features or some unusual marketing idea. HIs ideas far exceeded my ability to follow-up on all of his thoughts but some were spot-on and easy to implement.
During the past 10-years, Ira would show-up at my office unannounced and he would convince me to take a break and go for lunch .At lunch we talked about everything – family, business, politics. Ira taught me to look past the conventional wisdom and consider (sometimes wild) alternatives. I learned much from Ira about looking at business and life from a different perspective.
I will greatly miss all of this now that Ira is gone. How do you describe a life-long friend as unique as Ira and how do you describe such a loss? Ira’s will be missed by me and I am sure by many, many others – boith family and friends. —- Jamie Wiczer

~Jamie Wiczer
~Friend, Buffalo Grove

October 23rd, 2025

Ira and Elise came into our family through the marriage of our children. In the beginning our relationship was one of courtesy rather friendship. As the years grew we became family. Although there were many miles between our homes the times we did spend together were moments shared with laughter .and good conversation… Not always agreeable but enlightening and food for pondering. I know Ira enriched my understanding especially on the topic of dentistry. I will miss his quirky humor and never ending conversations on nearly any topic. GOD bless him and his family.

~Sophia Gianos
~In law, Wesley Hills, New York

October 23rd, 2025

The positive energy Ira projected about his family and work, helping people who are suffering, was inspiring to so many, including me. It is not often that we meet an inspiring mentor and friend. He had a unique way of understanding and explaining the intricate dynamics of how his treatments can help so many people reduce pain and improve their quality of life. People traveled from all over the world to see him. He will be missed by many.
For 40 years, it was the highlight of my professional experience to have Ira tell me he would travel to a conference because I was also attending. We would spend most of our time discussing and debating the best methods of treating headaches, neckaches, TMJ-related problems, and sleep breathing pathology. He always had new insights that would eventually take the academic community years to recognize.
His kindness and charity upheld the world, as it is said, ‘The righteous is the foundation of the world.” (Proverbs 10:25) . We are diminished by his passing, for ‘when a righteous person departs, it is as if a pearl is lost.’(Proverbs 10:25

~Larry Lockerman, DDS, FAAOP
~Friend, Modiin, Israel

October 23rd, 2025

In the fall of 1993, I overheard a fellow faculty member at the College of Lake County rave about a dentist. Respecting his judgment, I made my first appointment at Delany. At that first appointment, Ira, the consumate diagnostician, after a brief look in my mouth suggested and made an appointment for me to see oral surgeon, Dr. LaTocha. Ira came to that appointment and came to the appointment after the biopsy to be there when Dr. LaTocha told me I had squamous cell carcinoma on my tongue. Ira assisted in finding Dr. Harold Pelzer, then head of otolarynology at Northwestern for my surgery. After radiation treatments,I remained privileged to see Ira every two months for folow-up and care until he could not continue. Ira’s caring professionalism extended to relatives of patients. He advised my son over the phone on sleep apnea. Ira you will be missed. You will remain in our thoughts, prayers and hearts always. Thank you for my life of the past 32 years! With gratitude, Nancy Cook

~Nancy W Cook
~Patient and friend, Lake Villa, IL

October 23rd, 2025

Remembering Dr. Shapira for his brilliance, compassion and devotion to healing. He made a lasting difference in so many lives including my own since 1984.

~Kathleen Decker
~Friend, former employee, &patient, Beach Park, IL.

October 22nd, 2025

I was heartbroken when Kelly told me of Dr Shapira’s passing on Oct. 20, My goodness, the world has lost such a bright and wonderful light – full of goodness and wisdom, care and compassion, humor and love and genuine empathy. As a patient of his for 30 years, I will truly miss his presence in my life. Dr Shapira created a dental practice, along with Mark, that is unsurpassed in its warmth and expertise. But also, Dr Shapira had a way of making me feel like everything was going to be just fine, nothing to worry about. I can’t tell you how much his reassurance and advice at certain times in my life has helped me. In addition to his calm reassurance, his positivity, his genuine interest in me and family – that has been something I looked forward to whenever I saw him – my goodness could we talk! About everything! Books, movies, food, wine, my job, my kids, – that has really meant a lot to me these past 30 years.
I will miss him more than words can say- and I wish I had been able to see him one more time.
To all of the current and previous staff/family at Delany Dental – my family is keeping you all in our thoughts and I’m sending you all love while you grieve the loss of this absolutely wonderful man.

~Diane Schmidt
~Patient and Friend, Wadsworth, IL

October 22nd, 2025

My condolences to Dr. Shapira’s friends and family. In 2016 I had a consultation with Dr. John Kelly that changed my life. He was the first dentist, out of over 20 other consultations with dentists like him, that told me, as an adult, that my mouth was too small. He then told me my best choice was to see Dr. Ira Shapira, which started me on the best path forward, receiving not only the best care, but best advice, on repairing my broken body after a bad skiing accident that went undiagnosed for years. Dr. Shapira treated me for TMJD, mouth expansion and myofacial pain & disfunction disorder. Dr. John Kelly was right, Dr. Ira Shapira not only changed my life, but forever gave me faith that there were knowledgable, kind, healthcare workers, that took the time to learn everything they needed to know, about their work, so they can give their patients, the best care possible. He was a great man, and a great healthcare provider, I will miss him deeply.

~Jennifer Gargano
~Patient, Glendale Heights

October 22nd, 2025

Dr. Shapria is the most interesting man I have ever met. I traveled from Michigan to his Illinois offices for treatment and my rides were never a disappointment. He constantly dazzled with his broad knowledge. I always prepared for my visits with some special questions for him. He was so professional, so knowledgeable and at the same time he carried himself with such grace and humility. A great loss.
My sympathy to the family.

~Timothy G McGrath
~Patient, New Buffalo, MI

October 22nd, 2025

I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Shapira. He was my dentist for almost 20 years. He helped me get relief from my sleep apnea when other medical providers were unable to help me. Even though it was an hour drive each way to see him, I went to Dr. Shapira for all of my dental needs. He was always on the leading edge of patient care when it came to dentistry and especially sleep apnea treatment. I will miss my conversations with him about science and medicine and life in general. He was such a kind and generous man and he actually made me look forward to going to the dentist! He changed my life and I will never forget him for that. My sincerest condolences to his family and friends.

~Nick Winter
~Patient, Forest Park, IL

October 22nd, 2025

We are so saddened to learn of Ira’s passing. He was the most exceptionally innovative, and creative dentist, but, more importantly, our friend. In the early 1990’s, my Mother, after being taken advantage of by Florida dentists, went to see Ira. Billy and our son Jason were school friends. Then in her 80’s, my Mother said she had never been to such an exceptional dentist. Thus began our dental relationship with Ira. Ira was beyond creative and innovative. He performed such amazingly unique work for all of us. My Mother, in her 90’s, attended Jason and Melissa’s wedding, where people were in awe. “She has all her teeth “, people said, not knowing it was Ira’s creativity that made this seem reality. Ira was a devoted father, grandfather, and husband. He devoted himself to Elise in her health struggles. There was so much love in his tireless care. Sadly he lost his second dear wife. Yet, Ira moved along with optimism towards the future. I visited him last August 21, as we lived close. He was optimistic about the future and getting back to work. It’s wonderful to learn in one of the above posts that he was in the office three weeks ago. We will miss Ira. He never failed to ask about Jason, always remembering everything I had shared about Jason’s health. His compassion shined through all his personal challenges. May he rest in peace with all the angels who were blessed to share his life with him.
Love,Deanna, Morry, Jason, Melissa and Alana Sable

~Deanna, Morry, Jason, Melissa, & Alana Sable
~Friends and patients, Highland Park, Illinois

October 22nd, 2025

My heart broke when I received notification of Dr. Shapira’s sudden passing.
He was my knight in shining armor, as I told him many times. He helped me 25 years ago with my TMJ pain when others couldn’t or wouldn’t. Dr. Shapira truly cared about me, and I know every one of his patients. He was an expert in his field.
My sincerest condolences to his family…your father was an amazing man, you were blessed to have him as your father. I will truly miss him.
May his soul rest in eternal peace.

~Celeste Moresco
~Patient, Lake Forest, IL

October 22nd, 2025

My deepest sympathy to the Shapira family. Dr. Shapira was a creative and very caring dentist. He always found a way to help the patient.

~Rich Kolaczewski
~Patient, Gurnee, IL.

October 22nd, 2025

Dr. Shapira saved my life 40 years ago with his new innovation of TMJ treatment. I kept him in my contacts and searched him out for dental treatment 5 years ago. He remembered me, so so kind and caring. Feel like he was family. Sending prayers to all.

~Joyce Johnson
~Patient, Berwyn, Ill

October 22nd, 2025

My condolences to his family as well as the family of Delaney Dental.

The world was a better place with his gifts and caring heart for those of us who required more than traditional medicine could offer. He went over and beyond to find solutions to improve the lives of his patients.

He will be missed dearly.

His memory will live on in his important work and in his research that will benefit those for years to come.

Rest in peace.

~Dr. Cheryl Lentz
~patient, Grayslake, IL

October 22nd, 2025

Ira was such a caring, tolerant and charismatic person. I will always remember him.

~Peter Mueller
~patient and friend, Budapest, Hungary

October 22nd, 2025

Ira was a man whose brilliance was matched only by his warmth. His intelligence shone through in every conversation — not to impress, but to inspire. He had a rare gift for making complex ideas simple, and for making everyone around him feel wiser just by being in his presence.
Beyond his intellect, Ira’s true greatness was in his heart. He cared deeply — about people, about learning, about doing good. He was the kind of person who listened fully, who noticed when someone needed encouragement, and who quietly helped others become the best versions of themselves. His kindness was steady, genuine, and without condition. Ira knew how to be a good friend, always present. He valued family above all.
Ira’s sense of humor was another of his gifts. He could bring light to any moment, reminding us not to take life too seriously, even when it got heavy. His humor was contagious — a mix of wit, joy, and warmth that always made the room feel brighter.
What stood out most, though, was Ira’s curiosity. He approached life with an open mind and a positive spirit, constantly exploring, asking, and learning. That curiosity made him forever young — engaged, excited, and full of wonder about the world. His contributions to his field and the body of science are unfathomable. Ira was the epitome of an out-of-the-box thinker. My wife Laura, my son Philip, and I are genuinely better for having known Ira. Working alongside him and sharing a friendship over all these years has enriched my life in countless ways. His example taught me not only how to think more deeply, but how to live with greater kindness.
Ira leaves behind a legacy of intellect, compassion, humor, and optimism — qualities that continue to ripple through the lives of all who knew him. He made people feel seen, valued, and capable. And though he will be deeply missed, the light he shared remains in every life he touched.

May you, his family find comfort in your memories.

ברוך דיין האמת
שלא תדעו עוד צער

~Mark Freund
~Personal and Professional, Rehovot, Israel

October 22nd, 2025

So very saddened by this loss. Dr Ira had been my dentist for over 35 years. I was heartened to see him at the office three weeks ago. He examined me. It was so special to see him. I too am fighting cancer. He was my dentist and also a good friend.

My heartfelt sympathy to the family of this fine man. May he rest in peace.

~Robert Ralston
~Patient, Gurnee, illinois. 60031

October 22nd, 2025

My heart sank when I read of Dr. Shapira’s passing. I have been a patient of his for 27 years, and he was the only one who was able to solve the tension headaches I endured. I began seeing him for treatment in college, and there is no doubt that he gave me my quality of life back. I am forever grateful to him and his staff, with whom I interacted over so many years. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and colleagues. Gone too soon, but what a tremendous impact he made on the lives of others. Every time I was in the office, he would always tell me about his children and grandchildren. He was so unbelievably proud! Dr. Shapira, you will be missed.

~Molly Keppler
~Patient, Barrington, IL

October 22nd, 2025

my deepest sympathy to the family he was a very caring dentist

~howard m zolt
~patient, Skokie

October 22nd, 2025

Truly, a brother to me. When I met Ira, I had no other opportunity to propel my professional dental degree. IIra gave me that opportunity..
I recall him saying that he could not keep an associate DENTIST in the office. I told him if you hire me you’ll never get rid of me. This was a 1988. It’s now almost 2026, so about 38 years of companionship, brotherhood, personal growth, and the creation of an incredibly beautiful business whose basis was about love, caring, and providing the most exquisite experience that anybody could have at a dental office. Not an easy task. Ira was the idea, man, Mark the expediter. A partnership like the one I had with Ira is unheard of. God bless you, Ira may you be at peace eternally.
Thank you so much for making me wanna be there for you through thick and thin, like you were for me.

I’ll see you around, brother. But not yet.!
Love you
Mark

~Mark Amidei
~Business Partner Delany Dental Care, Gurnee IL 60083

October 22nd, 2025

My condolences to Dr. Shapira’s friends and family. He was a great Dentist and helped me a lot over the years, especially about two years ago when I was having trouble with a tooth and he fixed it in a second! God bless him and his family!

~Mike Korkowski
~Patient at Delany Dental Care, Antioch, Illinois

October 21st, 2025

I worked with Ira for just a year as Managing Editor when he was Editor in Chief of CRANIO: The Journal of Craniomandibular & Sleep Practice. I visited him in Highland Park for one weekend to train him for the work with CRANIO. We had such a good time together. We laughed a lot and enjoyed each other’s company. Ira loved the journal and wanted so badly for it to succeed. The publisher had other ideas, cutting my salary to such a low rate I was forced to quit the position. Ira struggled the 2nd year with me trying to help him while working a new job. He then grudgingly gave up the position because the publisher would not support him with another Managing Editor. Ira and I kept in touch over the years with emails, texts, cards, and phone calls. It was always such a treat to hear his gravelly “Hello!” on the other end of the phone. He made me laugh. He made me smile. He was so full of life; so full of joy. I adored him. I will miss him so much! My heartfelt condolences go to his family, whom I know he loved with all his heart.

~Donna Knauss
~Friend/co-worker, Chattanooga, TN

October 21st, 2025

Such sad news. Ira was always teaching, always willing to help, always there to pick up the phone and help with a patient. Great memories from shadowing in his office and spending time at meetings and dinner outings. Truly a giant in our industry and will be deeply missed. God bless you Ira……..Life well lived

~William C Poe V DDS
~friend, colleague, student, LOS ALAMITOS