Sheldon Karpowitz

1946 – 2022

On Tuesday morning, November 15, 2022, Sheldon S. Karpowitz of Ewing Township, a beloved husband and father, died at the age of 76.

Shelly began his life-long love of the shoe business in the 1960’s while working for his family who owned businesses across the Philadelphia area. He opened his first store called Karmak in Morrisville, PA in the 1970’s and has been a force in the shoe industry ever since.

Not long after, he opened Shelly Shoes in Ewing Township, NJ and eventually he and his wife Marguerite, opened a chain of shoe stores called Foot Prints. Everyone knew who Shelly was, he was the life of the party and made everyone feel welcome in his stores. During this time he was also one of the founders of the Trenton Downtown Association who worked toward revitalizing small business in the downtown Trenton area.

Besides being a local business owner, he was a father to three. He taught his girls about music and regaled them with stories about seeing the greats like Little Stevie Wonder and the Four Tops at the Lambertville Music Circus in the 1960’s. He was the King of the Jersey Shore dime pitch and never missed an opportunity to go to Vegas or Atlantic City to play blackjack. A lifelong Philly sports fan, he would take his girls to Sixers games and would often be found on the couch watching the Eagles or the Phillies with a Pepsi and a Tastykake in hand. He loved dogs and had been known to rescue a pup in need.

In his later years, Shelly was interested in the work his daughters did and wanted to know everything about their careers. He was proud and definitely a force!

Shelly is survived by his wife Marguerite, his daughters Marcy Karpowitz of San Francisco, CA, Stacy Karpowitz of Brattleboro, VT, Janice Slotkin of Mine Hill, NJ, his sister Elaine Hartwick of Ewing Township as well as many cousins throughout the country. He is predeceased by his parents Jack and Rachel Karpowitz of Yardley, PA.

There will be no visiting hours. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Sheldon Karpowitz may be made in support of Dr. Barry Rovner’s Alzheimer’s Research at Jefferson. Please make checks payable to “Jefferson”, write in the note section, “Dr. Barry Rovner’s Alzheimer’s Research” and mail to: Office of Institutional Advancement, 125 S. 9th Street, Suite 600, Philadelphia PA 19107, or donate online at Jefferson.edu/giveneuro. Select “other” and write in the additional notes “Dr. Barry Rovner’s Alzheimer’s Research”.