Bernard (Bernie) Libster, 82, of Hasbrouck Heights, NJ, died on January 17, 2023. He peacefully passed on to his next life while at home, with his beloved wife Marian Calabro at his side. Parkinson's disease wore down Bernie's legendary physical energy but not his extraordinary spirit and sense of humor. In addition to Marian and her extended family, Bernie is survived by niece Jennifer Libster, nephews Michael Kuznitz, Jonah Libster and Jacob Libster, Jacob's son Hunter, and Bernie's "brother from another mother," Peter Goldbeck. He was predeceased by siblings Anna Libster, Gertrude Kuznitz, and Garry Libster.

Raised in Goldens Bridge, NY, Bernie left the University of Rochester before graduation to pursue the beatnik life in Paris and Greenwich Village, where he thrived at the jazz clubs and coffeehouses. He was a wordsmith: book publishing copywriter, creative director at ad agencies Grey and Draft, on-stage storyteller, translator of the Italian writer Gianni Rodari, and a published author of poetry, children's stories, and business books (the latter as Marian's partner in their former company CorporateHistory.net).

Always skinny but amazingly strong, Bernie bicycled and cross-country skied with the Bicycle Touring Club of North Jersey (where he and Marian were popular ride leaders for 30 years), hiked and backpacked with Appalachian Mountain Club, and practiced chi kung and other martial arts. He sang with various groups at Turtle Bay Music School and was a former member of the Teaneck Community Chorus. Bernie and Marian shared a passion for music, theater, cats, Italian food, and Italy itself, which they explored by bicycle and car on numerous visits.

The healing arts became a focus of Bernie's final decade as he became a Reiki master, Therapeutic Touch practitioner, and volunteer in hospice and harm reduction programs. He presented programs at the annual conference of the Home Care & Hospice Association of NJ on the uses of storytelling in hospice settings.

Memorial visitation on Saturday, January 21, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Costa Memorial Home, 170 Central Ave. (corner of Blvd.), Hasbrouck Heights, NJ. To send condolences, visit costamemorialhome.com. A further celebration of Bernie Libster's life will take place at a future date (request info via mariancalabro.com/contact ). Contributions in Bernie's honor may be made to Pacem in Terris ( frederickfranck.org /in-memoriam.html), Community Food Bank of NJ ( cfbnj.org ), or Holy Name Hospice ( villamarieclaire.org ).