The Shafran family held an emotionally moving book signing event in Lower Manson on Tuesday that honored a loving husband and father in the process.
The Shafran family held an emotionally moving book signing event in Lower Manhattan last week that honored a loving husband and father, and words he wrote “from the heart” before his passing.
Sitting behind a table set up with a large pile of books titled “From the Heart: Letters of Love. Poignant, Profound, Pedagogical,” dozens of excited readers entered the Housing Works bookstore, located at 126 Crosby St., in Lower Manhattan on April 28 to meet the Shafran family.
Gathering in the back of the store for the book signing, the crowd sat and listened intently as Phyllis Shafran recounted memories of her beloved husband, Ron Shafran.
Gathering in the back of the store, the crowd sat and listened intently as Phyllis Shafran recounted memories of her beloved husband, Ron Shafran. 
Austin Shafran,
“From the Heart” chronicles letters of love from Ron Shafran addressed to his family, who discovered them after his passing, stored in a closet. Some of his writings date back over half a century. According to the family, these writings give profound insight into a complex and loving man.
Ron Shafran died in 2024 at the age of 77. He worked as a teacher, an advertising executive, and a government relations consultant before becoming a deputy commissioner under Mayor Ed Koch. However, according to his son Austin Shafran, his most notable role was that of a kind father and grandfather.
“He went from being the best dad and loving husband to the proudest Pop Pop to two beautiful boys, Mason and Teddy, his pride and joy,” Austin Shafran wrote in a heartfelt obituary.
The book is available for sale on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and other bookstores.
Phyllis Shafran