Samuel Lieberman Obituary

Samuel Lieberman
October 24, 1929 - November 19, 2013
A Resident of Santa Cruz
Samuel Lieberman, Santa Cruz icon and former owner of Marianne's Ice cream went to his big sundae in the sky at age 84. He passed away peacefully surrounded by his wife and friends at his bedside on November 19th, 2013 after losing his two year battle with cancer. He is preceded in death by his father Jacob and mother Elizabeth Lieberman. They were long-time residents of Santa Cruz who once owned the McCray Hotel, which is now a retirement home and Santa Cruz landmark.
Sam is survived by his wife of 56 years, son, Maurice and daughter-in-law, Elena Lieberman, his sister Elaine Roth, nieces Cynthia Campbell, Marlena Hirsch, and nephews Raymond Travers, Doug Miller and Steven Miller, and sister in law Francis Travers. He was a Santa Cruz Native Son born in 1929. Sam attended Mission Hill Jr. High, and graduated Class of 1947 from Santa Cruz High School. He served in the U.S. Army as a M.A.S.H. Dental Technician in 1951 during the Korean Conflict. He then returned home to Santa Cruz with an Honorable Discharge to assist his family in taking care of their ailing father, Jacob. Sam graduated with an A.A. degree in History from San Jose City College and later attended San Jose State University.
Sam is and will always be best known as an ice cream connoisseur, and inventor as the former owner of Marianne's Ice cream for 56 years, which he and Dorothy purchased in 1957. Sam and Dorothy sold their business to Charlie Wilcox and Kelly Dillon last December due to Sam's failing health. Charlie and Kelly are not only the new owners of the business, but they are also now the "custodians" of a continuing Santa Cruz tradition and legacy that Sam devoted most of his life to build. Charlie and Kelly have promised to keep up the tradition of manufacturing and distributing the fine ice cream products Sam worked so hard over the years to create.
Sam Lieberman has been and will always be an integral part of the City's growth and "character" for his long lasting civic contributions and generosity. He was an active member of the Santa Cruz Elk's Lodge #824, Santa Cruz Exchange Club, Native Sons of the Golden West, and the Toastmasters. For several decades, Sam has been a positive influence in young people's lives by giving them personal growth opportunities through employment in his store, and manufacturing plant. Throughout the years he has contributed to Santa Cruzans' success through their association with him and Marianne's. For this accomplishment he was recognized and chosen as Santa Cruz Old Timers Man of the Year for 2013.
Sam will be remembered, missed and never forgotten by his family and friends at the "Koffee Klatch." They gathered every morning at the store to reminisce and visit with him for many years. In remembrance of his life, Sam's friends and family are invited to gather at Oakwood Chapel on December 3, 2013 at 1:00 PM. It is located at 3301 Paul Sweet Road, in Santa Cruz. Afterward, there will be a private service at the cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Sam's family requests contributions be made to the American Cancer Society, 209 Walnut Ave, Santa Cruz, the SPCA, 2685 Chanticleer Ave, Santa Cruz or the charity of your choice. If you would like to send your condolences to Sam's family, share your memories, view or post photos, light a candle, please visit www.scmemorial.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Santa Cruz Sentinel on Dec. 3, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Samuel Lieberman

Sponsored by anonymous.

5 Entries

Karen

December 11, 2013

Sam knew we why we were at Marianne's faithfully twice a year for a reason"OH,did someone get a bad report card again?" It was all in jest since he knew our youngest, Danielle ALWAYS got straight A's in school, this was her reward. We loved talking to Polly too, when she was around way back when. Sam made a bit hit with our older daughter, Jennifer because of his comment regarding the pug dog. (Jennifer ended up adopting an older pug dog when she grew up, too!)
We all had our favorites--hot puff, mint chip sundae, peanut butter malt, and pumpkin ice cream cone. Yum! Thanks for the high butter fat contents, Sam! We are all the better because of it! You will never be forgotten and now that the ice cream is sold in so many of stores, we get to be reminded of how much you are "spread around". Lots of love to you "up there"!

Craig Strang

December 4, 2013

I spent a lot of time licking cones at Marianne's in the 80s when I was a student at UCSC. Marianne's provided considerable support to my relentless efforts to procrastinate. That was long before Ben & Jerry's made crazy ice cream flavors normal, and Marianne's always had 75 or so to choose from. Sam was almost always there whenever I came in, day or night, big belly sticking out under his ice cream smeared apron, looking just like an ice cream man should, but a little grumblier. He was usually my scooper. After the first 50 visits or so, we started exchanging smiles, pleasantries, then brief stories and updates. I was always a little surprised that Sam didn't hold my scruffy, unwashed look against me, and I was even more surprised that I could always find something to talk about, even if for only a moment, with the Quintessential Ice Cream Man of Santa Cruz. I'll never forget him telling me about his epic and unforgettable field trip to the It's It Factory in Burlingame. "They clean up spilled ice cream off the floors with snow shovels! Hell, they shovel up more ice cream than I make!" He was wistful, awestruck. He had a far away look while he told the story, like he was remembering his first child being born or his first trip to the Louvre. I moved away when I graduated. I always stopped at Marianne's on my way out of town when I came back to visit. Sometimes Sam was there, and he'd return my greeting, but I'm sure he didn't remember me. I'm sure he didn't know that I have reveled in my memories of him for the last 29 years. He made such an impact on me. Thanks, Sam.

Loretta Meyer

December 4, 2013

To a legend of a man who made life sweet for so many.

Charlie Wilcox

December 3, 2013

Sam was a unique flavor in Santa Cruz and his legacy challenges us all to follow our passions. I could fill a book with the stories of Sam that I have been hearing from his friends, family, former employees and fellow locals- kind, funny and heart felt. Sam's loss leaves reminds us to step up and live every day fully as he did. Our love and support to Dorothy.

Diana J Peters

December 2, 2013

So sorry for the loss of a wonderful man. I remember well when Sam first opened Marianne's and we would watch him make the ice cream right there in the shop. He will be missed and is probably sharing a cone with my parents (Larry & Shirley Peters)right now.

Showing 1 - 5 of 5 results