Harry Shapiro, DFC & BAR
1915-2006

A decorated World War II veteran, pillar of Montreal’s financial community and trusted advisor to investors and their families, the late Harry Shapiro makes an honourable namesake for our team.

Career

Harry founded the Shapiro Group of RBC Dominion Securities (then called Dominion Securities Pitfield Ltd.) with partner Arthur Pervin in 1977. They pioneered an approach to investment management that was considered innovative in its time: a team approach that leveraged the diverse and specialized skills of each team member. Previously, it was more common for investors to require constant contact with a single broker, who needed the client’s approval for every single transaction. This process created a major inefficiency for investors. As Harry put it, “The investment business is very exciting and demanding. It is affected by politics, the economy and just everything. You have to make decisions quickly and act quickly.”

Harry and Arthur revolutionized the client experience with a process that our team still uses today. All the team’s partners worked closely together, keeping informed of one another’s activities. Multiple team members with varying expertise also provided a newly exceptional client experience, ensuring clients could always find a contact to address their needs in a timely manner.

Above all, Harry was passionate about the real difference he could make in helping investors and their families reach their personal and financial goals. His personal core values of dedication, integrity and transparency remain the foundation of our team and the work we do.

Military life

At the age of 25, before joining the investment industry, Harry enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force. Soon after his pilot’s training, he joined the “pathfinders,” a group composed entirely of volunteers willing to take on high-risk missions over enemy territory. “Being caught in the enemy’s searchlights is a strange and harrowing experience indeed,” Harry said once. “I described it as being suddenly caught naked. Or you’re caught with your hand in the cookie jar.”

With his fellow pathfinders, Harry completed 49 missions over enemy territory in Germany and Italy. He even joined what the soldiers called “the caterpillar club” when he was forced to flee a plane by parachute (which were made with caterpillar silk).

During and after the war, Harry received several honours for his skill, bravery and dedication. At Buckingham Palace in, he received the Distinguished Flying Cross from King George VI himself. He was also inducted into Canada’s Hall of Valour in Ottawa.

Personal

Harry was born in Montreal (Westmount) in 1915 and lived in the city all his life. He attended Westmount High School, where he discovered a life-long love of sports and fitness. Later, he married Liliane Kostoris and they had two sons, Paul and Richard. Harry kept active well into his 60s, frequently partaking in tennis, squash and calisthenics.