Bernard Pirofsky Shaw

Bernard Pirofsky Shaw, 88, of Port Ewen, NY, passed away Friday, January 11, 2013at home. He was born September 8, 1924 in New York City, to the late Samuel and Esther (Wolpin) Pirofsky. He was married to Elizabeth (Greenwald) Pirofsky Shaw; they wed on March 25th 1967. Bernard was recruited out of James Monroe High School in the Bronx and then served his country in the United States Navy during WWII from 1943 to 1946. He attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY, and was the Owner /Operator of Robert Fulton Follies in Port Ewen, NY where he was known as "Captain Bernard." He was Inventor of the Year in 1987 for a safety car that could withstand head-on crashes, and save lives. He was also a boiler maker, mechanic, industrial engineer, and a restaurant owner/operator with his late wife, "Liz" at the Playhouse Café Inc. in Ardsley, NY. One of his recent projects was a plan for creating jobs in the Hudson Valley, and he tried to get Tech City going again to employ thousands of veterans, as he envisioned a huge manufacturing complex, to make new products for the 21st century at the now vacant IBM buildings. Another endeavor was a unique and efficient design for an energy machine, utilizing pressurized air. He was also a member of the VFW, American Legion and Seabees Island X-9.


Bernard is survived by his children, Daniel Pirofsky of Dearing,GA, Charlotte Troiano of Yonkers, NY, Ellan O'Rourke of Troy, NY, step-daughter, Cathy Wittmer ofYonkers,NY, a brother, Irving Pirofsky of Ft.Lauderdale, FL., 7 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his brothers, Norman Pirofsky of Ft. Lauderdale, FL and Harvey Pirofsky of Palo Alto,CA.


Entrusted to the care of Keyser Funeral & Cremation Service, Inc., 326 Albany Avenue, Kingston, where services were held on January 14, 2013. Burial was Monday January 15, 2013 at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell, Schuylerville, NY