Omar Shapli, 70
December 29, 2010
 WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Omar Shapli, 80, of North Hoosac Road died peacefully on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2010, at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield with his wife, Tryntje Shapli, at his side.
Born in Cairo, Egypt, on Aug. 2, 1930, son of Gen. Azizi Ali el Masri Shapli (Schabli) and Frances Smith Shapli, he came to the United States as a young child with his mother and graduated in 1948 from Scarsdale (N.Y.) High School. He also attended the University of Chicago. He bought his home in Williamstown in 1992.
He was drafted in 1951 and was a veteran of the Korean War.
Mr. Shapli had a long career as actor, director, writer and teacher. He was chairman of the Theater Program at Community College of New York from 1983 until his retirement, and taught at Dartmouth, Emerson and Williams colleges.
He returned to Chicago after his military service and became a working member of the storied Second City comedy club in the 1960s. He wrote, directed and acted in numerous plays in Chicago and New York. He loved music and shared this love as announcer on WFMT in Chicago, WRVR in New York, where he also produced a series of radio plays, and WNYC.
He taught at New York University School of the Arts (Tisch School of the Arts) from 1966 until 1983 and chaired the acting program there during the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Mr. Shapli liked to say he preserved his sanity while teaching by writing poetry, some of which has appeared in Exquisite Corpse, Café Review, Main Street Rag, New Orleans Review, Small Pond, and viviparous blenny, to name a few. He had three published collections of poems: "The General Is Asked His Opinion and Other Sad Songs 2002-2005," "Them: Poems 1999-2002" and "Thin Snow: Poems 2006-2008."
He and his wife met at Bennington (Vt.) College in 1959, where he was playwright-in-residence and she a student. They were married June 18, 1961, in Truro on Cape Cod.
Mr. Shapli loved the Cape and spent much time there with his family. He was an inspirational teacher and a generous man whose warmth, imagination, wit and intellect will be treasured by all who knew him, said family.
Besides his wife, he is survived by their three sons, Tarik, Alaric and Zachary Shapli, and two grandsons, Ivan and Isaac.
FUNERAL NOTICE — A memorial celebration of Mr. Shapli's life will be held at a yet-to-be determined date. His ashes will be interred in Williamstown. Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapels, 521 West Main St., North Adams, is in charge of arrangements.
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