01/21/2026
Hello ABC members and the bocce community, it is with a heavy heart that I share the passing of our beloved friend and bocce brother, Pierino “Perry” Liberta, a cherished member of our ABC family. Perry was involved in a tragic accident last night in East Northport, and his loss has left our entire community in mourning.
For many years - probably 15 or so, we had the privilege of calling Perry a friend. When I first met him, his exact words to me were, “Hey kid, wanna play bocce?” That was Perry: open, warm, and always ready to welcome someone new. His amiable personality was always on display. Never shy, he could walk up to anyone and start a conversation. His comforting smile, gentle approach, and immaculate hair were constants whenever you saw him.
And yes, I mention his hair because I used to call him Warren Beatty (from Shampoo). When he told me he once owned a salon in Queens near my old neighborhood, I said, “Yeah, I can see that!” We would laugh, and he would proudly say that he still went once a week to the salon to see his regulars, probably dating back to the 1970s. In fact, Perry became the unofficial ABC barber for more than a few of our members.
Perry was a talented bowler and an even better bocce player. Many nights he made incredible shots , and God forbid if he didn’t, because he would certainly let you know. To this day, I’m not sure what drove him crazier: falling short of his own high expectations on the court, or watching his beloved Yankees lose.
He was a true gentleman at ABC and also at our sister club, the Babylon Bocce Club, where he was a proud member as well.
His pride in ABC was second to none. If there was a call to prepare the courts for the season or clear water after a storm, Perry was always the first one there. And when I say first, I mean it. I’d pull into the lot and hear, “Hey, young fella,” as he was already hard at work.
Perry was also fiercely loyal to our club. If visiting players bent the rules or acted out of line during tournaments, you could count on Perry to step in: “Hey, you can’t do that here!” He was our sentinel. If ABC ever had a Sergeant-at-Arms position, Perry would have owned it.
While he could be tough, he was also a sweet and joyful man. Always laughing, always welcoming, his spirit lifted league nights and made both old and new members feel at home. His presence brought happiness to our courts and to our lives.
Perry’s friendship was a blessing, and his memory will remain forever in our hearts. We will miss him deeply, but his spirit will live on in each of us every time we step onto the court to play the game he loved.
Our deepest condolences and prayers go out to his wife, Carolyn, his children, his family, and his teammates.
God bless you, Perry. You will be missed, but always fondly remembered.
Visitation Details:
Commack Abbey Funeral Home 96 Commack Road (one block south of Jericho Turnpike) Commack, NY 11725
Viewing Hours:
Friday, January 23rd: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM & 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Saturday, January 24th: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
The funeral service will follow the Saturday morning viewing.
A Message from Perry’s Wife, Carolyn:
"With deep sorrow, I share the passing of my beloved husband, Pierino “Perry” Liberta. He was taken far too soon and leaves behind a lifetime of love as a devoted husband, father, stepfather, brother, poppy, uncle, and dear friend. My heart is broken, and he will be forever missed by all who knew and loved him.
Thank you to our family and friends for your love, prayers, and support during this incredibly difficult time."
