Ira Gottlieb
| Ira J. Gottlieb | |
 | |
| Treasurer Libertarian Party of New York | |
| 1980—1983 | |
| Predecessor: | Wilbur Wong |
| Successor: | Bill Stocker |
| Personal Details | |
| Birth: | February 21, 1957 |
| Death: | February 8, 2021 (aged 63) Manalapan, New Jersey |
| Education: | MBA in Finance, New York University |
| Occupation: | Commercial Loan Officer |
| Party: | Libertarian Party |
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Ira Jay Gottlieb (February 21, 1957—February 8, 2021) was a commerical loan officer and Libertarian Party activist from New York. He was active in the party in the late 1970s and early 1980s, notably serving as Treasurer of the Libertarian Party of New York from 1980 to 1983.
Biography
Early Life and Career
Ira Jay Gottlieb was born on February 21, 1957, in the Bronx, New York, to Roseland and Herbert Gottlieb. He was the eldest of three children and grew up in the Castle Hill section of the Bronx, where he spent much of his youth. He attended the Bronx High School of Science and later enrolled at Baruch College, graduating as class Salutatorian in the School of Finance. He subsequently earned a Master of Business Administration from New York University.
Gottlieb built a career in banking, beginning at the Industrial Bank of Japan in New York City. He later specialized in Small Business Administration lending at various financial institutions, assisting business owners in securing financing. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he processed numerous Payroll Protection Program loans and forgiveness applications, supporting small businesses during a period of economic disruption.
Libertarian Party
Gottlieb became active in the Libertarian movement in 1978 after discovering the party the previous year. He had long identified philosophically with libertarian principles and immersed himself in classical liberal and modern libertarian thought. By his own account, he studied extensively and developed a firm grounding in libertarian political philosophy prior to assuming leadership roles.
He first served as Secretary of the Libertarian Party of New York from 1978 to 1979. In 1980, he became Treasurer of the Libertarian Party of New York, serving until 1983. During this period, he was also Treasurer for the Clark for President campaign in New York and Treasurer for the Jones for Mayor campaign. He additionally served as Budget and Finance Director for a proposed New York-hosted Libertarian National Presidential Convention in the early 1980s.
In 1981, Gottlieb served as a member of the Libertarian Party’s National Platform Committee. In his application for that role, he emphasized the importance of maintaining freedom-oriented principles and resisting compromise of core party philosophy. He was active in petition drives, public outreach, coalition efforts, and party organizing during the party’s formative years in New York.
Personal Life and Death
Outside his professional life, Gottlieb was an avid sports enthusiast and was closely involved in his son’s academic and athletic pursuits. He supported and mentored his son through an Ivy League education at Brown University and into a professional hockey career in the ECHL and AHL.
Gottlieb was married to his wife, Yvonne, for 27 years. He was survived by his wife, his son Max, his sister Lisa Perez, and extended family members.
He died on February 8, 2021, in Manalapan, New Jersey.
Campaigns
- Treasurer, Ed Clark for President (New York), 1980
- Treasurer, Judith Jones for Mayor of New York City
Organizational Positions
- Secretary (1978—1979)
- Treasurer (1980—1983)
- National Libertarian Party
- Member, National Platform Committee (1981)
- Finance Chair, 1983 National Convention