Courtesy of Elwood 'Woodie' C. Gedusky
Jerry Liebertz, 87, of Tigard, Oregon, passed away on January 8, 2012. Jerry was born in White Plains, N.Y., April 27, 1924 to Johanna and William Liebertz. Jerry was pre-deceased by his wife of 58 years and his son, Jim. Jerry is survived by his sister, Peggy Garry and sister-in-law, Dean Liebertz; sons, Jerry Jr of Portland, Willie (Mary) of Phoenix, AZ, Danny (Doreen) of Kapolei, HI, Phil of Atlanta, GA, John (Candace) of Portland; and daughters, Lori (David) of Beaverton and Connie (Dennis) of Portland. He leaves numerous grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews, most living in Oregon.
Jerry was raised in the Bronx, NY and graduated from Roosevelt High School, where he met and later married his sweetheart, Penny, in 1944. Jerry joined the U.S. Navy in 1942 and was a Pharmacists' Mate aboard the U.S.S. Laffey, which participated in the D-Day invasion on the beaches of France.
They moved west after the war, choosing to start a family in Oregon, where his brother Bill (Deane) lived. He and Penny raised a family of 8 children, moved to Tigard in 1976, and joined St Anthony Parish. After WWII, Jerry's work experience began as a cab driver in NYC and also worked temporarily as a cashier in the Empire State Building. Later in Oregon, he helped his brother Bill with roofing, painting houses, and reading meters for the City of Portland. In 1951 he began working as a bookkeeper with the Oregon's Public Employees Retirement System – P.E.R.S. for 35 years, retiring as Assistant Director of Operations.
He served as Vice President, President and Past President of the OSEA – Oregon State Employees Association (O.S.E.A., now called O.P.E.U.) from 1967-1974. He was known throughout the state, the legislature and even the newspaper called him, "Mr. Retirement". Jerry loved to gamble – on dog and horse racing as well as sports games; He, Penny and their very good friend Ernie took regular vacations to Reno, Nevada, enjoying blackjack, poker and slots. Jerry seemed to always be involved in a card game every week, whether with his poker groups or family members.
Jerry was an active member of St Anthony's Catholic Church in Portland, The Madeleine Parish, and St Anthony's Catholic Church in Tigard. He also was a member of the Knights of Columbus.
Viewing will be available at Young's Funeral Home, Tigard, OR on Wednesday, Jan 11, from noon to 5pm and Thursday, Jan 12, from 9-5p; the Rosary will be held at 7pm Thursday, Jan 12, 2012 at the same location. Mass of Christian Burial will be at St Anthony's Catholic Church, Tigard, OR on Friday, Jan 13, 2012 at 10:30am. Immediately following the Mass, all are invited to attend a celebration of his life at the home of Lori and David Thom. Family suggests remembrances to St Anthony's Catholic Church in Tigard.