Manuel (Manny) Liebenson, 91, died suddenly on March 20, 2013 at St. Raphael Hospital in New Haven, CT.
Manny was a resident of Madison for over 45 years and was a resident of the Hearth at Tuxis Pond for the past 10 years. He was born October 15, 1921 in Klancy, Russia, the son of Pearl Kremin and Pasha Liebenson. He and his parents immigrated to the United States in 1924 via Ellis Island and settled in New Haven. He graduated from Hillhouse High School, received his BachelorDegree in Education from New Haven State Teachers College and continued his education at Fairfield University and UConn, receiving both a Masters degree in Education and a 6th year degree. He taught in the New Haven School System for 35 years until his retirement in 1982. Manny served in the army in World War II. He was very proud of being a US Citizen and a soldier.
Manny is predeceased by his wife of 55 years Helen Shoemaker Liebenson. She was the love of his life and together they raised their three daughters, Nancy, Janet and Patricia in East Haven until 1968.
Besides his wife and children, water was his passion. Manny was an American Red Cross Water Safety and YMCA instructor up and down the shoreline for over 50 years and taught thousands to swim. He continued life guarding at the YMCA and the Aqua Dome in Madison until the age of 86. Manny was committed to maintaining his body through daily exercise through out his entire life. He was often seen walking his dog, Molly, riding his bike, canoeing and hiking. He also encouraged others to do the same and would often ask " so what are you doing for exercise?" Manny was known to keep a bathing suit in the glovebox of his car in case there was a chance to swim! He was equally committed to maintaining and enhancing his intellect. He read the New York Times daily, ,always had a good book at his side and was always ready to have a conversation about current and world affairs. Manny loved classical music and Opera. He was known for listening to Beethoven while watching sporting events. Manny was liberal minded and a steadfast democrat. He often entertained family and friends with his mandolin. He loved his daily wine and tea, believing wholeheartedly that in addition to daily exercise of his body and mind, these were the key to long life. Manny loved life and lived life to the fullest. Relationships were of great value to him, especially his immediate family. His love was a fierce love that will always be felt. He was always ready for the next adventure, especially anything to do with the natural world. He was unconventional in many ways and walked to his own drummer with a great passion. He was inspiration to all that knew and met him.
Manny is survived by his children, Nancy Liebenson-Davis and Steven Davis of Old Lyme CT, Janet Narayan Liebenson and Michael Grady of Watertown MA and Patricia Liebenson-Morse and Stephen Price of Peterborough, NH, his grandchildren, Marie Davis Huante, Ventura CA, Jesse Liebenson-Morse , San Francisco, CA, Kelsey Liebenson-Morse, Long Island and Sophia Liebenson-Morse, student at the University of New Hampshire and great grandchildren Phoenix and Raiden Huante. He is also survived by his sister Stella Blodinger of Boca Raton, Florida and his many beloved nieces, nephews and longtime friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the American Red Cross.
A Memorial Service for Manny will be held on Sunday May 19th at 2pm at the Madison Senior Center on Bradley Road in Madison. All are welcome to come share favorite memories of Manny.
For more information please contact Nancy at nancyliebensondavis@msn.com or call 860-434-0224. Please sign the guesbook below.
Mr. Liebenson had a great impact on my life. He was my forth grade teacher at Strong School in the fifties. He introduced me to competitive swimming and a life off the streets. I could thank him for many of my successes in life. He was a great man and I am saddened by his passing. My heartfelt sympathy to his family for their loss.
I read with great sadness of your Dad’s passing today! He was my 6th grade teacher at Strong School in New Haven—class of ’64. I loved his mandolin playing and how it introduced me to opera. Mr. Liebenson was a jovial fellow with such a positive attitude. I was in his classroom the very time it was announced that President Kennedy had been killed and remember how sad he as at that moment. He had much empathy. Years later, I encountered him serving as a lifeguard at a cookout in Guilford, said hello and introduced myself to him as I didn’t expect he’d remember me. He still had that sparkle in his eyes as we spoke. I’m now in my 35th year as a 2nd grade teacher and I can proudly say that Mr. Liebenson was a very positive infuence on my decision to become a teacher. May he rest in Peace!
Nancy, Janet, and Patricia sorry to hear about your Dad. The DeFelice’s will alway remember, the swimming lesson, you Dad taught all of us.
I will always remember the games we played at your Birthday parties, and the time I spent at your Aunt’s house, in Short Beach.
My sincere Sympathy to your family and grandchildren.
Diane DeFelice
All of us are so sorry that Manny is no longer with us, but he leaves a great legacy. Just yesterday Anne and I went to a matinee at the Yale Rep and thought it was just the kind of thing that Manny would have done that afternoon. He lived his life to the fullest and it should be celebrated.
Mr liebenson was my sixth grade teacher and the best,teacher I ever had.He was a good educater and just the greatest with all the children at Strong School in New Haven.I remember being part of his YMCA swimming class and sports class.He would take a special group once a week by bus and we would all have a great time.Thank Manuel Liebenson you were a great teacher and a great man.My prayers to all of you.
I had this man as a teacher at nathan hale school in new haven in the late 60’s….He
was a great teacher and i’m so sorry to hear
of his passing…
I met Manny through a Red Cross swimming event many years ago and after that he would always say hello when we saw each other around Madison. In recent years our paths crossed more frequently …sometimes at the pool ,a community event or out walking his golden retriever. He always had time for friendly conversation. I recall his telling me about his trip to New Zealand with famliy which included mountain climbing at the age of 86!
Manny we will miss you ! My wife and I send our most sincere sympathies to Manny’s family.
I’m so very sorry to hear of Manny’s passing. He taught me how to swim at the YMCA when I was very little back in the 80’s. With his help and enthusiasm I went on to swim competitively in high school and college all thanks to him. Swimming has been such a huge part of my life and has lead to me to so many opportunities that would not have been possible without Manny’s help. I can’t express my appreciation enough for the impact he’s had on my life. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
To friends and family of Mr.Liebenson-I’m sorry for your lose. Mr.Liebenson was my six grade teacher at Nathan Hale School in Morris Cove,New Haven CT back in 1978-1979. I might have had him in another grade too,hard to remember since it’s been so long. He was a very good teacher and made more lasting impressions than any other teacher there-I’ll always remember the mandelian he played songs on that we would sing and he would always start with “MMMMMMMM-GO”! We would have to do reports on subjects and I remember looking up info in my encyclopedia set on a sunday night-boy,times have changed! My favorite was when he took the class to a Holocaust museum and I saw pictures of the suffering Jews for the first time. To this day I have a sort of fascination and interest to learn more about the German World War 2. Thank you,Mr.Liebenson for teaching us well! Dana F. Santacroce
My condolences to the family of this remarkable man… he was my seventh grade teacher at Nathan hale school. I am now a 55 year old woman who still remembers the wonderful trips that Melanie took us on. Most of our class trips we’re going to Madison for nature walks through the woods, which we all loved so much as children, how I wish I knew the name of the nature reserve that Manny took us on that would inspire me to be so connected with nature. We loved as children when he would play the mandolin for us in our classroom. It goes without saying to be 56 years old and still remember your seventh grade teacher that he was just a remarkable human being. My deepest sympathy to his children. I am typing this sympathy message nine years after Manny’s passing. The reason is because I had the most amazing dream about being on a hike in the woods and when I woke up, I thought of my seventh grade teacher, who introduced me to all of this. …….. my deepest sympathy to the family…..
Sincerely,
Michelle luciano