Carl Jerome Liba, Sr.

Born in Luzerne, Pa., to Stephen C. and Helen (Phillips/Filips) Liba, Carl grew up in Bridgeport and Stratford, Conn. A graduate of Bullard-Havens Technical High School, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Connecticut while also completing training in the U.S. Army Reserve Officer Training Corps. Carl was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Air Defense Artillery. He obtained a one-year reporting delay to work in California on the construction of the Oroville Dam, then proceeded to Basic Officer Training. During his Army service, he attended gunnery training aboard the U.S. Navy destroyer USS Charles H. Roan; later, he commanded Camp Wellfleet, an air defense gunnery training site on Cape Cod. He ultimately attained the rank of Captain.

After military service, Carl joined the New York Central System in New York, N.Y. He worked in Operations Management, Transportation Engineering, and Market Analysis, eventually becoming manager of the Central’s Construction Industry Services. Among Carl’s noteworthy projects was the development and implementation of the Central’s Flexi-Flo cement distribution program. When the New York Central System merged with the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1968, Carl was courted by the newly formed Penn Central, but he chose instead to venture out on his own as a consultant. In 1970, he joined the transportation management consultancy Reebie Associates, where he worked to facilitate better transport of raw materials and goods in the U.S. and Canada. His expertise led to numerous leadership roles, including president of the Transportation Research Forum, expert witness at transportation-related Congressional hearings, and guest lecturer at universities in the U.S. and Canada.

For 45 years, Carl resided in Westport with his wife and family. During that time, he was an active member of St. Luke Parish, serving several terms as chairman of the parish finance committee and participating in the weekly Faith Forum discussion group. In retirement, Carl joined the Y’s Men of Westport/Weston, enjoying the lectures, trips, and bowling. He kept the bird feeders filled and loved watching the birds they attracted.

Carl was rarely found without his camera. A lifelong railfan, he spent hours on evenings, weekends, and vacations at grade crossings and underpasses, stations and yards. He knew pathways down to the former New Haven Railroad line all along the Metro North corridor, and any business trip resulted in a new slide show of locomotives, rolling stock and railroad infrastructure. Carl was a monthly presenter at the Danbury Railway Museum and was often published in the New York Central System Historical Society’s Central Headlight magazine.

Carl is survived by his wife of 58 years, Bernice (Jefferson) Liba; his children Kate (Catherine) Liba; Carl J. Liba, Jr.; Jonathan Liba and his wife, Tania Chacho; Margaret Gustafson and her husband, David; and Thomas Liba and his wife, Katie Crandall-Liba; grandchildren Sophie and Sam Gustafson, Anna and Karina Liba, and Parker, Elaina and Harrison Liba; his brother Gerald R. Liba and his wife, Barbara; and several nieces and nephews. Carl was predeceased by his parents and by his brother Stephen C. Liba, Jr.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff members at Atria of Greenridge Place and Amberwoods of Farmington for their skilled and compassionate care for Carl, and to Corpus Christi/Christ the King Parish for welcoming Carl and Bernice when they moved to Wethersfield.

Private services will be held at D’Esopo Funeral Chapel and Corpus Christi Church in Wethersfield, with burial to follow at All Saints Cemetery in North Haven, Conn.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Danbury Railway Museum, 120 White Street, Danbury, CT 06810 (danburyrail.org) or the New York Central System Historical Society, P.O. Box 1597, Leesburg, VA 20177 (nycshs.org).