By ALEX MALM

When WPRI Chief Meteorologist Tony Petrarca was a Toll Gate sophomore when he got called down to the principal’s office because of the amount of tardies he had.

Nervous about what may happen, Petrarca said that he was put at ease by then principal Robert Shapiro.

“He couldn’t be nicer,” said Petrarca. 

Petrarca got advice from Shapiro that day. Set two alarms.

That was one of the many stories told during the dedication ceremony of Robert Shapiro Drive on Monday morning. The event was held outside the school’s Cultural Arts Center named for Shapiro with the Toll Gate band in uniform playing the National Anthem. A reception followed at the Tides Restaurant in the Warwick Area Career and Technical Center. 

For years the road off of Centerville Road that passes The Impossible Dream all the way to Winman and Toll Gate has been an issue particularly because it had no name.

Ward 8 Councilman Anthony Sinapi said that he worked with the city to have the road named. When he spoke to Mayor Frank Picozzi about it Picozzi recommended that they name it after Shapiro.

“This is honestly the perfect opportunity to honor his name,” said Sinapi.

Sinapi on Monday night docketed a resolution to make June 5 Robert Shapiro Day in Warwick.

Throughout his 50 year career in Warwick Shapiro met countless students and helped to mentor many in his role as superintendent.

One of those is current Superintendent Lynn Dambruch.

“Bob was a very special person to me,” said Dambruch.

Dambruch said he gave her the opportunity to be a leader in Warwick when she was named principal of Robertson Elementary School.

“This is such a fitting name because it's the street that his beloved Toll Gate High School is on,” said Dambruch.

Dambruch described Shapiro as a hands-on leader noting an incident when she received a threatening letter. She said that Shapiro came to the school to talk to her along with the police. For the rest of the week he stood by the front door to make sure everyone was safe.

To this day Dambruch said she is still inspired by Shapiro.

“When I am making a leadership decision I often think to myself ‘what would Mr. Shapiro do,” said Dambruch.

Picozzi’s experience with Shapiro revolved mostly around the time he spent on the School Committee while Shapiro was superintendent.

In July of 2004 Picozzi’s mother died. On the steps of the church his father had a heart attack. Shapiro, who was attending the funeral, was there to help.

“Bob jumped into the rescue so the family wouldn’t be bothered,” said Picozzi.

Picozzi said Shapiro spent a few hours at this hospital with his father so his family could bury his mother.

“That was the kind of man he was,” said Picozzi.

Picozzi holding a framed photo said that when he was elected he asked Shapiro’s widow Aubrey if he could have a photo of Shapiro. The photo sits next to Picozzi’s desk in his office.

“I always look at it for inspiration,” said Picozzi.

Picozzi said that he felt that naming the road after Shapiro was fitting.

“Bob for 50 years was the road to better education for Warwick,” said Picozzi.