Joel Shapiro was born in Salt Lake City, Utah. He grew up during the Great Depression. While Shapiro was attending the University of California at Berkeley, he took Reserve Officer Training Camp. After graduation he served as an intelligence officer during World War II, and was present when Dachau was liberated. Shapiro worked in his father's store, upon his return to civilian life, retiring after 55 years in the family business.
From the description of Joel Shapiro, 1999 Spring : an oral history / written by Debra Berry. (Utah State University). WorldCat record id: 58545879