Bob Lieber passed away peacefully on January 5, 2021. Bob had a warm and reassuring presence, and his quick-witted humor and wordplay brought laughter and smiles to those around him. He had a generous and kind heart, and was a loving and caring son, husband, father, and grandfather, a treasured son-in-law, and a friend to all. He was a devoted animal lover, sharing his life with many cats and dogs, including his beloved Patches and Buddy, who brought him much comfort.
He was born Robert Joseph Lieber on June 27, 1943, in Derby, Connecticut, to Max William Lieber and Margaret (Lambert) Lieber. He often recounted his happy childhood filled with laughter and music on George Street in Seymour, Connecticut. He delivered newspapers via bicycle, worked at Klarides Market, and developed a lifelong passion for 1950's automobiles. Bob graduated at the top of his class at Seymour High School and went on to UCONN and the Connecticut School of Electronics. Bob walked into the AT&T building in New Haven upon graduation and walked out with a job he loved for 40 years.
While on a high school trip to Washington D.C., Bob met the love of his life, Sharon (Sherry) MacLeese, and at seventeen years old, he knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. They married in 1964, and two years later moved to Southbury, where they built their dream home and raised their children, Robert and Caroline, both of whom he was very proud. Bob had the good fortune of being close to his cherished grandchildren, Sean and Emma Kate. He saw them daily and loved them dearly. He was fondly referred to as the "Uber Grandpa" and often joked he should wear a chauffeur's cap.
Bob's garage housed a revolving collection of automotive classics from the '50s and '60s, but best-loved was his first new car, a '65 Mustang. He never lost his love for musicians of that era and shared his passion for Roy Orbison, the Everly Brothers, and Buddy Holly with his grandchildren. He was an exuberant NASCAR fan, rarely missing a race.
Bob enjoyed traveling with his family around the U.S. and Europe, particularly driving thousands of miles on the narrow, hedge-lined streets of the U.K. and Ireland, maneuvering around the Autobahn in Germany, and in France, he relished the historical sites and visiting the World War I and II memorials. As a voracious reader of World War history, his most memorable trips were to Verdun and the beaches of Normandy. Bob enjoyed taking rides around New England, collecting books on antique automobiles and World War II, and, most of all, sharing the peace and solitude of his home with his family.
For over 40 years, Bob was an essential part of the Southbury Needy Fund Christmas program, assembling bicycles, picking up donations, bringing gifts to families in need, loading cars, running errands, and doing whatever was needed to help the program run smoothly. Bob was also a member of the United Church of Christ for over 50 years. He was a man of honor, humor, and generosity.
Bob was predeceased by his parents, brother, William, and mother-in-law, Helen Noone MacLeese, who loved him like a son.
He leaves behind his loving wife, Sharon (Sherry), son Robert with his partner Shirah, daughter Caroline with her partner Michael, his two beloved grandchildren, Sean and Emma Kate, who brought great joy to his life, and his son-in-law, Ken Yamanaka.
His loss is a devastating one, and all will miss him, specifically his sister-in-law, Deborah Woods, her husband Matthew, nephew Kelly, niece, Victoria, her husband, Dennis, their daughter, Lucy, cousins Joseph Lieber and Linda Lambert Mulrooney, along with many lifelong friends.
A memorial service will be held when conditions allow for safe travel and close gathering of friends and family.
In lieu of flowers Bob would have liked any donations in his memory to go to Whiskers Pet Rescue in Southbury, CT.
Munson Lovetere Funeral Home assisted with the the arrangements. To leave an online condolence for the family please visit www.munsonloveterefuneralhome.com
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