Dr David L. "Leonard" Lieberman Jr.

Lyme - Dr. David L. Lieberman Jr. Ph.D., better known as Leonard, 93, of Lyme, went home to be with the Lord Jan. 19, 2023, with his loving wife, Paula, at his bedside. He was born in November 1929, in Brooklyn, N.Y., to the late Dr. and Mrs. David L. Lieberman Sr. Soon after, the family moved from Brooklyn, to the Town of Chester.

Leonard attended Mount Herman School for Boys, before attending Wesleyan University for an undergraduate degree, Trinity University for a master's degree and the University of Connecticut for his doctorate in education.

He taught high school science at Nathan Hale High School in East Haddam, before becoming assistant principal at Valley Regional High School in Deep River. He later became principal at Middlesex High School in Townsend, Mass., and at West Morris Regional High School in Chester, N.J. After receiving his Ph.D. at UConn, he joined the faculty at Central Connecticut State College, teaching elementary education before ultimately assuming the position of dean of the School of Education.

Leonard was also the administrator at the family-owned Chesterfields Chronic and Convalescent Hospital in Chester, founder and builder of Chester Village West, an assisted living facility in Chester, and was involved in the daily operations at The Inn at Chester. He was active in the community, serving as a fire commissioner and committee member for the Town of Chester's newly formed waste water treatment program. He was a past president of Chester Rotary Club and was involved with the town's theatrical group, Meeting House Players.

Leonard was an avid sailor and navigator, having sailed the North Atlantic Ocean, and Caribbean Sea, as well as the coastal waters of New England. He also enjoyed woodworking and cabinet making, UConn woman's basketball and the Boston Red Sox.

He is survived by his current wife Paula; and his former wife Lorraine Lincoln Lieberman, formerly of Middletown. He is also survived by his sister Margaret "Peggy" Lieberman of Chester; son David Lieberman and wife Marsha of Hobe Sound, Fla.; daughter Deborah Moore and husband Roy of Killingworth; son Peter Lieberman and wife Amelie of Old Saybrook; son John Lemieux and wife Tina of Preston; and daughter Lisa Stamm and husband Chris of Stonington; 12 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his two loving dogs, Maggie and Josh.

Services will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29, at the United Church of Chester, 29 West Main Street, with a graveside service to follow in the spring, date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lyme Ambulance Association, Inc., 213 Hamburg Road, Lyme, CT 06371 or lymeambulance.org.