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CAPT Brian George Moynihan, USN (Ret.), 89, of Fairfax, VA passed away on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, surrounded by his wife and children. Born in Jamestown, New York on September 8, 1937, he proudly shared his birthday with the Blessed Virgin Mary. He was born in the same hometown as other greats such as Lucille Ball, and was the fifth of six sons born to the late Daniel J. and Madeline (Illig) Moynihan.
Faith, Family and Friends drove how he lived his life. He will be remembered for a life of service to God, duty to his country, deep love of his family and friends, and generosity to those in need especially when no one was looking.
Brian was raised in a typical Irish Catholic household of the time with a little German thrown in for good measure! He attended Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church and was a proud 1956 graduate of
Jamestown High School, graduating just a few years after Supreme Court Justice Robert H. Jackson (Class of 1909). Resigned to being told he was "nothing like his older brothers," he chose to focus on his natural athleticism by playing football, basketball, baseball, and running track for the "Red
Raiders." He played and learned alongside many who would become treasured lifelong friends.
Brian continued his education at Gannon College (now Gannon University), earning a degree in Business Administration in 1960. The following year, he completed Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island, and like his five brothers, proudly answered the call to serve his country. As a Surface Warfare Officer, he weathered the seas on the decks of the likes of the USS Bradford, USS Mansfield, and USS Stoddert (where he dutifully followed the direct orders of Captain "Ted" Taylor to serve as his tennis partner). He later served as the Executive Officer aboard the USS Towers.
A highlight of his Navy career was taking his new bride to England where he served as an Exchange Officer with the British Royal Navy in Portsmouth, England. During his time in England, he was able to learn the language, treat his beloved mother to Wimbledon, and preside over the births of his first two daughters with a pint in hand.
The culmination of Captain Moynihan's career was his command of the bridge on the USS Waddell from 1978 to 1980. Yet, for him, the significance of the role was never about the title or rank. It was the privilege and profound responsibility of leading, guiding, and mentoring the sailors entrusted to hiscare. Being with his crew, learning about their families, celebrating their successes, and supporting them through the hardship of extended deployments was paramount to his leadership style. It was essential to him that his crew knew how much he cared for them. The newsletters he sent home to their families brought comfort and a sense of connection to worried loved ones back home.
Among many other military decorations, he was awarded the Legion of Merit for outstanding service as Director, Investigations Oversight Staff of the Naval Inspector General and the Bronze Star Medal for his exceptional leadership and meritorious service while supporting the United States' goals in the Republic of Vietnam. While in Vietnam, his third daughter was born early and, after initially trying to convince the American Red Cross they had the wrong guy, he ultimately conceded. In the telegram sent home, he congratulated his wife and stated, "Go ahead and name her what you want."
The Navy took him across the country and around the world, fostering his love of history and travel. But, in the end, he always remained a simple guy from Jamestown and a family man at his core. Upon his retirement from the Navy in 1989, after nearly 28 years of distinguished service, his family remained in Virginia. No longer having an excuse not to be home, he embraced being a "girl dad," spending quality time helping to raise his youngest daughter while also trying to stay out of the way of his older three who were now teenagers.
After the Navy, Brian lent his unique ability to connect and mentor others through a brief role as the JROTC instructor at H.D. Woodson High School in Washington, DC. He then rounded out his formal career as a realtor serving many in the Northern Virginia area.
In his personal life, Brian devoted countless hours to volunteer work. He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 8600; most notably involved with Christmas Tree sales in support of Marian Homes. He also dedicated time teaching CCD and assisting with Food for Others. He treasured his time delivering for Meals on Wheels where he found personal ways to connect with the homebound, often bringing them articles and mementos that connected with their past and helped ease the loneliness. He was extremely proud of his "O negative" (universal) blood type and of achieving the coveted multi-gallon club status through his American Red Cross blood donations. Of course, those who really knew Brian suspected he was probably more interested in the cookies afterwards than the actual blood donation! Through his service and generosity, Brian made a meaningful difference in the lives of others while instilling these values in his children and grandchildren, forming lifelong bonds with those he served alongside, and developing a love for Spiderman along the way. SG2, you know who you are!
Brian had a deep love of history and an uncanny ability to connect with people through stories, shared experiences, and humor. Undeniably a man who could take over a room, he was always ready with a story, the perfect quote for the moment, or the occasional song (McNamara's Band, anyone?). His Irish wit, "Seinfeldesque" sense of humor, and natural gift for storytelling brought laughter, joy, and sometimes even a little panic to those around him. But beyond the stories, jokes, and quotes was something even more extraordinary; his ability to draw you in, make you feel seen and loved, and somehow know just what you needed. He had a way of making everyone feel like they mattered.
Because, whether you knew him as Captain, Brian, Mr. Brian, Uncle Brian, Brother, Son, Poppy, Dad, or Husband, he made sure you knew one thing: "You were worth it."
One of Brian's greatest joys was spending time with his grandchildren, who lovingly called him Poppy.
He treasured sharing stories of his high school years, the friendships he formed during that time, and the memories he kept alive by staying connected with classmates over the decades. Having earned multiple varsity letters in high school, he took great interest and pride in cheering on his grandchildren from the sidelines. He also delighted in reminiscing about the many traveling and camping adventures he shared with their Grandma throughout the United States and abroad. Family time at Chautauqua held a special place in his heart, creating cherished memories that his grandchildren will carry with them always. They will fondly remember Poppy's unconditional love and the special tradition of the "Poppy Walk" Family. It all came down to family for him and the life he shared with his beloved wife, Carol. What began as a chance meeting in a piano bar in Hawaii and a simple "yes" to the question, "Will you stay with me?" blossomed into a lifetime together. Their story was one of commitment, sacrifice, and faith - a love story worthy of the pages of the book, The Gift of the Magi. Throughout their 57 years of marriage, they built a life of shared adventures, creating countless treasured memories along the way.
Their enduring partnership was a testament to unwavering devotion to one another and their family.
Along with his parents, Brian was preceded in death by his five brothers, Robert (Betty) Moynihan, Daniel (Lois) Moynihan, Paul Moynihan, William (Johanne) Moynihan, and Jeremiah (M. Jeanne) Moynihan, as well as his brother-in-law, David Fendrick.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Carol (Fendrick) Moynihan; their four daughters, Janet (Thomas "Brad") Soules, Katherine "Kathy" (Kristian) Yangas, Sharon (Charles "Chap" Shepherd, IV) Moynihan, and Christina (David Bradford) Moynihan; and their seven grandchildren for whom he prayed for by name every night, Thomas Soules, Madeline, Alicia, and Brandon Yangas, Charles "Quinn" Shepherd, V, and Isabelle and Alexander Bradford. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Marian Moynihan, and many adored nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.
The family will receive friends at Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home (9902 Braddock Road, Fairfax, VA) on Sunday, November 8 from 4:00-6:00 p.m., with the Rosary being recited at 5:45 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Historic St. Mary of Sorrows Catholic Church (11098 Fairfax Station Road, Fairfax Station, VA) on Monday, November 9 at 11:00 a.m. Interment with military honors will immediately follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests you consider thanking a veteran for their service or donating a pint of blood through the American Red Cross. Memorial contributions may be made to Fisher House Foundation (https://fisherhouse.org), Boys Town (https://boystown.org), or Marian Homes
(www.marianhomes.org).
The family would also like to thank the wonderful village that surrounded Brian throughout all phases of his life from friends to neighbors, to the strangers that became friends, and those who will always be family. His was a life well lived and, in his own words, "No Complaints, Just Thanks!"