Murray was born in The Bronx on May 26, 1938, the youngest of three sons of Samuel and Minnie (Altman) Lieber. He was raised in The Bronx and graduated from Yeshiva University High School For Boys in Washington Heights, NY. Murray then attended Fordham University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy, working nights in a neighborhood drug store to finance his education. While at Fordham, Murray was a member of the varsity fencing team, earning MVP honors in 1959, his senior year. He also joined the ROTC and, upon graduation, spent 4 years in the U.S. Army as a First Lieutenant in the Medical Service Corps.
While on break from classes at Fordham, Murray was introduced to Ruth Anne Price who was also home in The Bronx on break from her freshman year of college. They married on June 25, 1961 in the Bronx and they moved to Livingston in 1965 where they raised two children, Ellen and Jonathan. Murray built a long and successful career in the pharmaceutical industry working in product development, marketing and strategy for industry leaders including Warner Chilcott, Roche, Berlex, and others. Murray was also very involved in the local community – he and Ruth Anne have been long-term members of Suburban Torah in Livingston, where he served as president of the synagogue from 1980-1982. Murray also volunteered his time as both a member and past president of the synagogue’s Dorot group, which helps senior members of the synagogue to attend musical events, movies, tours of Jewish historical significance and other trips or activities that these members may not have otherwise been able to do. Murray also volunteered his time to the Township, serving on the Livingston Town Council’s Open Space Committee for 13 years, several of which he served as co-Chairman.
Murray had eclectic taste in music, as reflected by his car radio where country/western and classical were on all of his pre-set stations, and many klezmer music CDs were in his glove box. Like all proper NJ residents of his day, Murray was a fan of Giants football, Yankees baseball and Nets basketball. He also constantly immersed himself in medical journals as he participated in a pharmaceutical industry which made enormous breakthroughs during his tenure. He also loved researching and investing in companies, managing his own stocks until his final days.
But Murray’s greatest love was for his grandchildren, Melissa (27), Seth (24) and Brett (20) Eisen and Alexandra (19) and Brooke (16) Lieber. Visiting with his five grandchildren was his delight, and it could be seen on his face whenever the family was together.
In addition to the grandchildren, Murray is survived by his wife of 59 years, Ruth Ann, his daughter and son-in-law Ellen and Howard Eisen, and son and daughter-in-law, Jonathan and Danielle (Kalish) Lieber.
Due to COVID restrictions, a private family funeral service will be held, and the family will be sitting shiva at the home of Ellen Eisen – details are available by calling the Suburban Torah office at (973) 994-2620. Donations in memory of Murray Lieber may be made to Suburban Torah (www.suburbantorah.org), Hadassah (https://www.hadassah.org/regions/northern-new-jersey/chapters/livingston/livingston.html) or the charity of your choice.
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