Paul David Liebig

Paul David Liebig, age 75, died Thursday, July 28, 2022. He was the firstborn of the seven children of Preston and Christine Liebig. He was born in Montclair, NJ on December 13, 1946 and spent his early years in Verona, NJ before moving to West Hartford in 1959.He served in the U.S Navy during the Vietnam War aboard the ammunition supply ship USS Mauna Loa. He has called Manchester home since 1974. Grieving his loss are his three children: Kati Hills, Jennifer Liebig, and Benjamin Liebig, best friend and mother of his children Terri Liebig of Bolton, and his two granddaughters, Madelyn and Victoria Hills, who were the light of his life. He was predeceased by his parents, and his infant sister, Patricia.

He was the big brother to his 6 siblings….sister Ann Fahey and her husband Gil of Manchester, brother Steve and his wife Denise of Rocky Hill, sister Jane Carroll and her husband Ted of Hartford, sister Mary Liebig and her husband Jack Hilditch of Manchester, and brother Christopher and his wife Carolyn Turvey of Iowa, along with many nieces and nephews.

The Liebigs childhood home was filled with love, family, friends, laughter and bantering. You would often hear his mother from the kitchen, “PAUL stop teasing!” The poor family dog, Moochie was one recipient to his teasing, his brother would hide in the upstairs closet and Paul would hide in the downstairs closet…they would have that poor dog running up and down the stairs looking for them. Moochie loved playing with the brothers. Even at the end of this dreaded disease he still joked with his grandchildren and kids, and would pull the ‘famous quarter” out of someone’s ear. Or, point to their shirt and say, “ what’s that” and when they would look down, he’d “boop” their nose.

When he was younger he loved his cars, first a 1964 Ford Convertible Galaxy that he had to leave behind when he went into the Navy. He came home to find the back window broken, wonder how that happened….was it Mom, Ann, or STEVE?

He became hooked on his VW that he “souped-up” and would race it at CONNECTICUT Dragway in the late 60’s early 70’s. He was well known on the Berlin Turnpike in those days, and would even race some of the guys that also were car fanatics.

Paul was a simple man. He didn’t need a lot of “things” to make him happy. His family was his everything. He worked hard for many years at COMBUSTION ENGINEERING, sometimes working overtime and took on 2 part time jobs, so his children didn’t have to go into day care. He never said a bad word about anyone, he was kind, soft spoken and funny, a silly sense of humor, he loved to laugh and make people laugh. Alzheimer’s didn’t take this wonderful asset from him. Even after he stopped recognizing people and speaking, he still had that beautiful laugh and would have his family in stitches. Kati and Jennie lovingly called him PAPA, and he would chuckle. His youngest, Benjamin would come to his house and shave him. When Ben was little, Paul took him everywhere, bundling him up in his snowsuit in the winter, just to go up the street to the store, because Ben loved being with him. Through their growing up years, Paul loved playing tennis with his children. Tennis was most fun at Hawks Nest Beach in Old Lyme, where many summers were spent starting when he first moved to Connecticut. He continued teaching his love for tennis to his two granddaughters where Maddi now is taking over his legacy on the courts. Paul gave his children all his attention and love, and that was evident when he became ill. They promised he would stay in his home until the end and that promise was fulfilled. He died peacefully at 1:58 a.m. with the people he loved most holding him.

A memorial service with military honors will be held on August 27, 11 a.m. at the CT State Veteran’s’ Cemetery, 317 Bow Ln, Middletown, CT.

As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association in Paul’s name.

A part of us is gone, but his spirit and his love will remain in our hearts forever. Papa, here’s a laugh for you…” Roads?…..where we’re going, we don’t need roads”

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