When Bert was born on January 24, 1940, in San Francisco, he made the Newspaper headlines for the second time! In November of 1939, while pregnant with him, his mother Theresa (Carmassi) heroically saved the life of a 3-year-old neighbor child who darted in front of a trolley car. She pushed him out of the way but was herself pinned underneath it. When baby Bert was born healthy and safe, the newspapers and his father (Dallas Leibee) called him a miracle…
The Leibees built a new home in Southern California, joined by his baby sister Corinne (DeWees-of Reno, Nevada-Nephew Michael). He excelled in school, graduating from North Hollywood High School in 1957. He was a member of DeMolay, achieving Master Councilor at the age of 17. He loved to dance, sometimes skipping class to go dancing at The Art Laboe Show, an earlier version of American Bandstand! Bert also enjoyed working on his cars, had quite a few fast ones too!
He went to Pierce College, where he studied Chemistry and Electronics and began his career in the film industry.
In 1960, he married Shirlee Kucher, and welcomed three daughters, Debra (Piccirilli of Hooksett, New Hampshire-Husband Robert “Pic”) Diane (Rigdon of Santa Clarita, CA-Grandchildren Kira and Kyle) and Denise (Baer of Castiac, CA-Grandchildren Heather and Brandon).
In 1982, he married Mary Alice (DeBellis) and joined her and her children, Constantine “Tito” Costakes (of Yucaipa, CA, wife Kelly and Grandson Nicklaus), Toinette “Toi” Costakes (of Highland, CA) and Denise (Allenbrand of Yucaipa, CA-Husband Tobe-Grandchildren MacKenzie and Raelyn), moving to Highland, California.
He spent most of his career in the film industry working for Technicolor and other Film Labs (where he oversaw the construction of film developing/processing labs). He retired in 2003 as The Director of Dye Transfer, restoring iconic movies such as Gone With The Wind, Funny Girl, and The Wizard of Oz from the original archived film stock.
He loved cooking and enjoying a good meal with family and friends, video poker, Star Wars, classic movies, poker night, Frank Sinatra, and his family. He was also an accomplished painter and woodworker. He was a loving husband, a fun and caring father and grandfather, a special big brother, and a great friend to many. There were few things that made him happier than a big bowl of crab or a winning jackpot, except for time with his family. All who were blessed to have him in their lives will miss him every day.
His father Dallas passed away in 1962 at the age of 49, and his mother Theresa passed away in 1999 at the age of 86.
“Death is nothing else but going home to God, the bond of love will be unbroken for all eternity.” Mother Teresa
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