Dr. Vincent Nat Liberto

1934 - 2024

Dr. Vincent Nat Liberto, a longtime resident of the city of New Orleans and resident of the city of Plano, TX for the last 12 years, passed away peacefully on February 7, 2024. He was 89 years old. Born the first child to his parents, Ignatius and Mary Liberto, in New Orleans on September 7, 1934, Vincent's early life was indelibly formed by his beloved St. Stanislaus school in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. He first attended the fourth grade as a boarding student, and remained through his high school graduation in 1951 at the age of 16. Over those years, he learned independence and forged life-long friendships, especially with his best pal, the now Deacon Gilbert Schmidt. After Stanislaus, he attended Loyola University for undergraduate and graduate programs and received his Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1957. Following graduation, Vincent served for two years in the U.S. Navy Dental Corps and was assigned to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, CA. He completed a postgraduate masters in Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Tennessee in 1960 and then returned to New Orleans and became the first pediatric dentist to practice in Louisiana. He ran his private practice for 36 years. He became the director of continuing education at LSU School of Dentistry. In 2006, he became the head of the department of pediatric dentistry at LSU. He married his first love Coralie Chachere, in 1955. They had four children - Lucinda, Mary Beth, Vincent, Jr., and Ignatius. Coralie passed away in 1964, from a tragic car accident, while carrying their fifth child, Richard. Vincent married Catherine Vicari in 1967. They raised the older children while bringing into life three more - David, Salvadore, and Camella. Catherine and Vincent were married for 42 years until Catherine's death in 2009. Vincent married Betsy Wheat in 2010. Betsy was a loving and steadfast source of support for Vincent until his passing. Throughout his career, he received many honors, including the Outstanding Service Award from the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and Outstanding Faculty Award at LSU Dental School. In 1992, he was named Honor Dentist by the New Orleans Dental Association. In 1994, he received the Distinguished Service Award from the Louisiana Dental Association. He received the Dr. John Adriani Medical Award for his outstanding contributions to the medical profession and his dedication to patient care. His imprint on pediatric dentistry was gigantic. He served as the president of numerous entities - New Orleans Dental Association (1976), American Association of Pediatric Dentistry (1981-1982), Louisiana State Board of Dentistry in 1989, and Louisiana Dental Association in 1990. He played a significant role in shaping the future of dentistry for children and individuals with disabilities by helping to establish the?Committee on the Future of Dentistry for Children. In 2008, he was installed into the St. Stanislaus Hall of Fame, a fitting tribute for having demonstrated a lifelong commitment to serving others and giving of himself for the greater good. He was, as one of his friends once said, a person of unwavering character, "a man among men." Vincent is survived by his wife Betsy, his son Ignatius (Rhonda), son Salvadore (Amy), and daughter Camella Liberto Grau (Benjamin); and his sister Mary Anna Liberto Eble (John); and his grandchildren Philip Schnauder, David Schnauder, and Emily Schnauder Bravender (JR); Vincent III (Julie), Joey (Karleigh), Michael (Paige), Dominic and Tori Liberto, Bailee Dean, (Michael) and Tyler McIntyre; Coralie and Ignatius II Liberto; Lilly and Emery Liberto; Benjamin and Jillian Grau; and 11 great-grandchildren. He is predeceased by four of his children - Lucinda, Mary Beth, Vincent, Jr. (Tracey), and David; his brother, John B. Liberto (Patsy); his parents, Ignatius and Mary Liberto; his first wife, Coralie Chachere Liberto; and second wife, Catherine Vicari Liberto. Services will be held at two locations, in celebration of his life in Louisiana and in Texas. The first service will be a memorial mass held on March 8 at 10 a.m. at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Community, 1201 Alma Drive, Plano, TX 75075. A reception at the Church will follow. The second service will be in Mandeville, LA on April 12, 2024 at Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 1501 W. Causeway Approach, Mandeville, LA 70471. Visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m. until Memorial Mass at 11:00 a.m. Arrangements under the direction of Jacob Schoen & Son Funeral Home.