In Tribute to a Pioneer, a Philanthropist, a Visionary: Joseph R. Shaker Passes away at 83.

Joseph Richard Shaker, founder and chairman of Shaker Recruitment Advertising & Communications, passed away peacefully on April 3, 2006, after a long illness. Mr. Shaker was a man of strength and integrity, who embodied humility and boundless generosity.  He will be missed dearly by family, friends, employees, all who knew him, and thousands who didn’t, but who were touched by humanitarian acts.

As a young man growing up, Mr. Shaker worked for his Lebanese immigrant parents in a small store in Niles, Ohio, outside of Youngstown. Here he honed his sense of responsibility, his strong work ethic and his ability to appeal to all people of all types as only a great salesman can do …

During World War II, he volunteered to serve in the U.S. Army Air Corps, and when he returned, set out to pursue his big ambitions as he relocated to Chicago. Here he established his roots, fell in love, and continued on his mission to make a difference.

Mr. Shaker applied his unwavering work ethic to laying the foundation for his own business – a business that he began solely with his beloved wife, Helen.  In its 55 years, his business has grown to become the nation's largest privately held recruitment advertising and communications agency, with the second generation now running the business, and the third generation as major contributors to his legacy.

Throughout his lifetime, Mr. Shaker was bestowed numerous awards and honors, including the Ellis Island Award, Knight of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Papal Knight of St. Gregory the Great, and the Massabki Medal of the National Association of Maronites.  Perhaps his most notable lifelong humanitarian contribution was as a founding father of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, worldly renown for its research and treatment of childhood catastrophic diseases.  He was passionately committed to the mission of St. Jude’s, one that succeeding generations of Shakers have proudly devoted themselves to as well.

In addition to his wife Helen, Mr. Shaker is survived by three sons, Anthony, Joseph and John; two daughters, Cathy, and Betty; 13 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. His legacy lives on.