Obituary of Ari Liberman

Ari Joseph Liberman, our beautiful boy, passed away on May 22. He was born on Tax Day (April 15, 2001) as he eagerly told anyone who asked his birthday. He is survived by his sister, Hannah Liberman, mom, Linda Fitts-Liberman, dad, David Liberman, aunt, Mollie Liberman, uncle, Jeffrey Liberman, uncle, Tony Fitts, aunt, Violet Montoya, and many cousins and friends. Our lives are forever changed with his loss. As a child, Ari was crazy about bugs, snakes, lizards, frogs, turtles, kittens, puppies, and all creatures; he adored animals. He loved water balloons and jumping on the trampoline in the summer. He loved rocks and gems, and going to rock shows with his dad. Ari found comfort in gardening. At home, he planted grapefruit trees, herbs, tomatoes, and peas. Ari loved being in the water. He could swim before he could walk! He loved fishing and going on family river trips. We had many beautiful times on the Chama and San Juan Rivers. He loved the ocean and lakes. Ari enjoyed paddle boarding, most recently spending several days paddling on the Animas with his sister. Ari learned to ski as a small boy. He skied park, and convinced his parents to build a huge “ski sesh” in the backyard to use year-round, where he hosted many friends. Ari was an amazing chef, “cheffing” up homemade pasta, sushi, whipped cream and many other fabulous creations. Family dinners were a priority, spending that time together was where we shared our stories, joys, and heartaches. We feel eternally blessed to have shared several very special family meals together when he came home last week. Ari was a creative musician and song writer, recording raps with his buddies. He was a talented design artist and started his own clothing line while in high school. He had great style. Although Ari started elementary school stubbornly unwilling to say his ABCs, he was soon in the top reading group. He started being pulled out for advanced math lessons in kindergarten and then skipped third grade. He was gifted, in so many ways, and he took great pride in his intelligence. As did we. He was incredibly proud and humbled, after the detours and difficulties he experienced in high school, to be accepted and to receive a merit scholarship to the University of Denver Business School. Ari started at the University of Denver in Fall 2019, just after he graduated from Animas High School. He was proud to have received many college admissions and merit scholarships at colleges in Vermont, California, Florida and Colorado. He was smart as a whip. Ari struggled with a deep depression that he could not numb, calm or escape. Despite this, he was a loving son, brother, and loyal friend. He cared about others generously and genuinely, sometimes to his own detriment. Ari could always be trusted with his friends’ secrets and confidences. He had a deep sense of justice and advocated for his friends and others fiercely. He would do anything for those he loved. He was giving and so very sweet. He was caring, thoughtful, and a wonderful gift-giver. He loved with a big, warm, and open heart. He loved to tease and snuggle. He was gentle, kind, silly, handsome, and bright. Ari was our boy. The sun shines dimmer, the world is less, without him here. He was a critical piece of our puzzle, which shall remain incomplete. Our hearts are irreparably broken. Ari is loved-deeply, unconditionally, and eternally. Memorial contributions may be made to the Beautiful Boy Fund- https://www.beautifulboyfund.org/