Gerald Lieberman (1937 - 2020)

Born 20 Apr 1937 in Bronx, New York, United States

Biography

OBITUARY: Gerald Lieberman of Placitas, New Mexico, formerly a resident of Weston & Westport, Connecticut, passed away at home on April 12th, 2020 after a courageous battle with cancer. Born on April 20th, 1937 in The Bronx, New York, he was academically gifted and went to medical school at Albert Einstein University, followed by a residency at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. Dr. Lieberman was a brilliant physician and devoted his early life to medicine, while also helping to raise five children of his own. He first set up his own pediatric office on Whitney Street and then joined Bay Street Pediatrics, both in Westport. After that he later opened Children's Health Services on Goodhill Road in Weston, where he was adored by his many patients, parents, colleagues, & staff. Dr. Jerry, as he was known, was passionate about taking care of children, gardening, music, art, theater, cooking, and an expanding menagerie of animals over the years, both domestic & exotic, including a pony that everyone remembers named Honey Bear who would often jump over the electric fence to go exploring. The Weston Police Department would call routinely to ask Dr. Lieberman to “please come pick up his horse”. This quirkiness of spirit often gave him the air of "the absentminded professor" and endeared him even more to those who knew him, especially his young patients.

Always one to embrace new adventures, Jerry spent the next chapter of his life in the Southwest after retiring from his pediatric career of forty years, beginning in Denver, Colorado, where he had the great fortune to meet Ron Goodman, the true love of his life. Next, they moved to Santa Fe, where they were married a few years later, and finally ended up in the beautiful home they shared and cherished in the small community of Placitas, with a stunning backdrop of the Sandia Mountains and which they considered paradise.

He kept busy after retirement devoting his time, knowledge, & enthusiasm to various organizations that mattered deeply to him. In Colorado, he worked at both The Butterfly Pavilion in Westminster, and the Denver Botanic Gardens. Once he moved to New Mexico, Jerry was tireless in his many volunteer opportunities at El Rancho de las Golondrinas, Museum of International Folk Art, Santa Fe Opera, the National Park Service Old Santa Fe Trail Building, and Santa Fe Botanical Garden. Mah jongg became a new passion, and he spent many long hours playing with different groups of friends in both Santa Fe & Placitas. He continued his adoration of animals with birds, fish, and the five dogs that he doted on during the latter part of his life, Chip & Piccolo first in Santa Fe, and then Eddie, who moved with his master to Placitas, and was soon joined by Poncho & Foxy. When at home, Jerry was frequently surrounded by all three dogs, with usually at least one sitting on his lap. The years he spent in New Mexico,"The Land of Enchantment", represented to him the very essence of magic & beauty, and it was there that he thrived and became his most authentic self, found great happiness, and lived out his dreams.

He is survived by his beloved spouse, Ronald Goodman, loving children, daughter Julie Fairbanks of Fairfield, son Craig Lieberman of Denver, daughter Justine Fink of Westport, son Brett Lieberman of Westport, & daughter Brooke Brennan of Fairfield, son-in-law Don Fairbanks, daughter-in-law Jennifer Lieberman, and daughter-in-law Laura Brennan. He leaves behind six adoring grandchildren: Olivia, Emma, Cole, Jackson, Devon, & Bryn.

The world has lost a good man, a unique soul, and a true character. Described by dear friends as a combination of Peter Pan, Doctor Dolittle, & Dennis the Menace, Jerry will be dearly missed by those whose lives he touched.

A celebration of Jerry’s life will be held at El Rancho de las Golondrinas when the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted and it will be safe to travel. To view information or leave a condolence, please visit www.danielsfuneral.com. Donations can be made in his honor to El Rancho de las Golondrinas, www.golondrinas.org, or an animal charity of your choice.

Sources

• Daniels Family Funeral Services, New Mexico, United States [1] accessed 6 May 2020