MORTON “MORTY” JOSEPH LEIBOWITZ
1950 – 2023
LIVESTREAM
11:00 AM on Friday, June 9 (Chapel Service Only):
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81013522792
Morton “Morty” Joseph Leibowitz passed away at his home in Fredericksburg, Virginia on Tuesday, June 6, 2023 surrounded by his wife and daughter, Tandy and Molly Leibowitz, and sister Laurel Perton. Diagnosed with Stage 4 Metastatic Melanoma Lung Cancer in March 2023, he made sure to see all his close friends and loved ones, attended weekly poker nights and visited the MGM casino one last time before passing away.
Morty attended the prestigious Brooklyn Tech High School, followed by John Jay College of Criminal Justice and then Sam Houston State University for graduate work. After graduation in 1972, he then spent the next decade working as a cop and in probation and parole in a variety of states, including New York, Indiana and Virginia. In 1988, he became Captain of the Stafford County, VA Jail and then in 1990 became the Superintendent of the Rappahannock Regional Jail. He was honored with the Superintendent of the Year award in 1993 by the American Jail Association.
After retiring from the Rappahannock Regional Jail in 1998, he decided to spend quality time with his family and eventually bought a second home in Tucson, Arizona to be near his daughter Molly. He was a favorite amongst her friends, even hosting annual Super Bowl parties. Having always loved dogs growing up, Morty adopted a Greyhound named Ginger and often took her to the local dog park where he met his closest Arizona friends.
Morty loved playing poker, often taking frequent trips to Las Vegas with family and friends. He also had a passion for horses starting from an early age, both riding them and handicapping horse races. He also enjoyed going out to dinner and trying interesting foods, and more often than not would order one of every dessert due to his enormous sweet tooth.
He is survived by his wife Tandy Leibowitz, daughter Molly Leibowitz, sister Laurel Perton, sister Chloe Leibowitz, and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services are 11:00 AM on Friday, June 9 at Orland’s Ewing Memorial Chapel, 1534 Pennington Road, Ewing, NJ. Burial will follow in Princeton Cemetery, 29 Greenview Avenue, Princeton, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Mary Washington Hospice (https://www.marywashingtonhealthcare.com/foundations/donate-to-mary-washington-hospital-foundation/) or the local Fredericksburg SPCA (https://fredspca.org/donate/).
Morty, you were a good friend and I will miss you. I am truly appreciative of the opportunities you gave me when I retired from the Marine Corps in 1996. It made a huge and positive impact on me and my family. I always looked forward to our many lunches and trips to casinos in Atlantic City, West Virginia and Maryland. To Tandy and Molly, I know this is a difficult time. You have my deepest condolences.
Tandy and Molly, I feel so sad that Morty has passed away. I’m keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers. I’ll be watching the funeral on Friday. I look ve you both.
I love you both!
I just spoke to my friend Ronnie letting me know of the passing of our friend Morty.
The three of us grew up together in Brighten Beach and went to elementary school together. Morty lived on Neptune Avenue across the street from my father’s garage and gas station where we would play.
We called ourselves the “unholy three” and in looking back we earned that name.
How blessed am I to be a part of that time growing up in Brooklyn with both of them.
Unfortunately, I lost contact with Morty when I moved to Southern California, and I understand how truly remarkable his life was. I remember Morty being one of the smartest people I’ve ever known. His quick wit and his zest for life left me in awe whenever I was with him.
I only wish his family some peace and love during this terrible time of such a loss.
There are no words to express my deepest sympathy for your loss: Morty was a true friend, lived his family dearly and man of honor.
I was proud to know him and be his friend.
Tandy and Molly,
My deepest condolences for your loss. I am grateful for his guidance and support. May he rest in peace.
My thoughts haven’t left Morty since getting the news of his passing. And what I’ve learned over the past couple of days is that there was so much about my uncle that I didn’t know. Growing up, he was always one of my cool uncles who was a master at poker, to where the word “poker” became synonymous with my Uncle Morty to me. Even my husband, who unfortunately never got to meet Morty, knew of him as being this incredible poker champion, in my mind. Because I was so young when we last interacted in person, there were so many aspects of his life that I never learned, until his passing. I didn’t know about his time in the field of Criminal Justice, or all of his incredible accomplishments. To me, he was cool Uncle Morty, and someone that I wished that I got to know even better. You will be missed, by more than just family…and you will always be well loved.
Morty’s funeral was wonderful! The friends of Morty who spoke really helped me understand Morty much better. Tandy and Molly I love you both so much! My heart goes out to you both.
Love, Ann