Larry Ambrose
Described by his family as “the ultimate renaissance man, enjoyer of the arts and pursuer of social justice,” Larry Ambrose died on Jan. 28, 2022, at the age of 76. A service was held Feb. 1, 2022 at Emanuel Cemetery, officiated by Rabbi Joe Black.
Mr. Ambrose was born on Oct. 17, 1945 in Pueblo, Colo., and was a graduate of CU Boulder. He has a major impact on the worlds of Jewish activism, entertainment and neighborhood improvement.
Denver historian Phil Goodstein called Mr. Ambrose “A polymath, excelling in different fields.”
As an administrator at the Auroria Higher Education Complex, Mr. Ambrose was instrumental in rescuing the Golda Meir House by providing it a permanent location on the Auraria campus.
Other interests included the world of entertainment. Mr. Ambrose managed a Hollywood nightclub called Ash Grove. He later ran a talent agency while he was co-owner of a nightclub in Lakewood.
Mr. Ambrose was instrumental in the formation of the Inter-Neighborhood Cooperation, and was executive director of the Southwest Improvement Council in southwest Denver.
In 2015 Mr. Ambrose was a write-in candidate for Denver’s mayoral race, and he ran twice for Denver City Council. He was a lawyer.
Mr. Ambrose is survived by his wife of 48 years, Jane Parker-Ambrose.
Contributions: To One Sky One World, Mrs. Parker-Ambrose’s international Kite Fly for Peace Festival.
Les Shapiro
Popular Denver sportscaster Les Shapiro died Jan. 29, 2022. He was 65. Gatherings will be held in the near future in Denver and Chicago.
Mr. Shapiro was a sports anchor at KCNC-TV from 1984 to 1999 and later at KDVR-TV. He was also a talk show host on a variety of Denver radio stations.
Though he never smoked, Mr. Shapiro fought lung cancer for five years. He was being treated at Houston’s MD Anderson Cancer Center and in Scottsdale, Ariz., where he died.
Mr. Shapiro grew up in the Chicago suburbs and attended Arizona State University. He started his broadcasting career in Phoenix, then moved to Peoria, Ill. before arriving in Denver.
During his association with KCNC, Mr. Shapiro was also the television voice of CU Boulder football.
Mr. Shapiro was heavily visible in charity activities in the Denver area, including many Jewish institutions.
On Mr. Shapiro’s Facebook page, his family said: “He was at home, and the immediate family was there. We spent the last four days with him, joking around, telling stories, and reading him the messages you all sent.
“We can’t imagine someone feeling more loved at the end of the life than Les did.”
Former Broncos coach Mike Shanahan told the Denver Post: “The thing that I liked most about Les what that he was such a good family man.”
Mr. Shapiro is survived by his wife Paula, and sons Jessie and Cary.
Roger Simon
Lawyer and actor Roger Simon passed away on Jan. 10, 2022. He was 88. A service was held Jan. 13 at Fairmount Cemetery, officiated by Mr. Simon’s brother Rabbi Howard Simon, Rabbi Steven Foster and Cantor Elizabeth Sacks. Arrangements were made by Feldman Mortuary.
Mr. Simon was born on June 15, 1933 in Davenport, Ia. In his teens, his family moved to Denver, where he attended East High School. He completed his undergraduate and law degrees from CU Boulder.
It was at CU where Mr. Simon met Beverly Wilson; they married in August, 1957 and were married for 63 years before Mrs. Simon’s passing in February, 2020.
Mr. Simon’s first career endeavor was as a criminal attorney, then as a divorce lawyer, and later a real estate lawyer. Mr. Simon’s family said he did significant pro bono legal work for many people in the arts community.
“He was respectful and caring and considerate of those he provided advice to,” said his family.
Mr. Simon’s true love was acting. He had numerous local and regional theatre credits, including the rare trifecta of playing the parts of Oscar Madison, Felix Unger and “Murray” in three separate productions at the Bonfils Theatre, Aurora Fox Theatre and Colorado Music Hall.
Television credits included roles in movies “In Plain Sight,” “Father Dowling” and “I Want To Keep My Baby.”
Mr. Simon’s daughter, Chere Simon-Mequet, said of her father’s meeting with agents regarding an acting career: “They said he had the talent to make a career of acting, but in order to make a living he would have to move to California. He wasn’t comfortable uprooting us from school so he passed up the opportunity.”
Mr. Simon was predeceased by his wife Bevie and son Mark Simon. Survivors include Chere (Frank) Mequet and Michael Simon, and two grandchildren.
Contributions can be made to Denver Hospice.
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