John Moylan

Moylan, John

Age 86, born October 31, 1934 and died July 18, 2021.  John was a beloved husband of nearly 60 years to Joy (DaBruzzi) Moylan, father to six, and grandfather to 22.  A St. Paul boy, John attended Cretin, St. Thomas, and William Mitchell College of Law and proudly served as a Marine in Japan.  John worked for most of his career as VP of Human Resources for Dayton Rogers Manufacturing and was a life-long reader and avid fan of Minnesota sports through the good years and bad.

In everything he did, John was a model of steadfast integrity and love.  As a boy and young man raised in a house without a present father, John helped to raise his three sisters, Mary (Sullivan), Kate (Kirchen), and Ann (Ciresi).  As a young graduate of St. Thomas working for the State of Minnesota Tax Department, he met and married the love of his life ,Joy, and learned to live in a large, loud Italian family (mostly by smiling quietly and eating a lot).  As a spouse, John modeled love and affection and the virtue of showing up every day no matter what.  He and Joy loved to spend time in California and Florida and to host large, family gatherings.

John and Joy raised their six kids with love and consistency, attending every cross country meet, swim meet, choir concert and hockey game, no matter the conditions.  Though stoic and quiet by nature, John took the time to make sure each of his kids knew they were loved and valued.  He taught them all to value work, to commit to our families with our whole selves, and to show our love openly and joyfully.  As a proud grandfather, John attended infinite numbers of grandkid sports and school events, was the one to take long dock duties at the cabin making sure everyone was safe, taught many of his grandkids to play chess, and was always up for card games he never won.  He often spent the loud, chaotic Moylan events watching quietly, his face glowing with pride.

John died at home, cared for by his wife, children and grandchildren, knowing he was cherished.  He will live on in the hearts of his wife Joy, his children Jim (and Carol), Michele (and David Wheaton), Sue Hunt (and Steve), Katie Doll (and Dan), Tony (and Leanne), and Matt (and Lietoute); his 22 grandchildren, his great grandchild on the way, his sisters Ann and Mary, and many nieces and nephews. A Catholic mass celebrating John’s life will be held at St.Odilia’s Church in Shoreview on Monday, July 26 at 11:00 am to be followed at a later date with a private burial at Fort Snelling.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Hospice of the Midwest, the Hospice service that helped to care for John with kindness and compassion in his last days.