Smiles, laughter, music, flowers.... These are just a few of the things that Brian so freely gave to the world. His humor and love surrounded and encompassed all lucky enough to get close to him. His memory will long fill the hearts and thoughts of us all.
Sending our love and prayers,

Dearest Annemarie and Family, 
I am so very saddened to hear of your Dad's passing.  I know he was such an integral part of your life and always a huge part of raising your wonderful boys.  I feel fortunate to have had the privilege of meeting your dad and getting to know him through your stories.  He truly was an amazing person, and will be deeply missed.  Sending my deepest condolences to you and your entire family.   I hope you all find comfort in the wonderful memories you all created with him. 
Love Annette

Dearest Ann Marie,

My heartfelt condolence for your family's loss.  Your father was an amazing man.   I remember him holding Mia on his lap playing the piano.  He played my fathers favorite song at his funeral mass and worked so hard to learn it.  The world was a better place with your dad in it.  His love and kindness shed light on everyone he met. 

Love, 
Angela

Sending sincere condolences for your loss. Mr. Dwyer was welcoming and kind to our daughter, Miranda, and made her feel a part of the family.  His loss will certainly leave a void. May you find comfort in the loving memories.

Remembrances of Brian Dwyer Part 3
In the last few years, we met more often and personally. Our meetings started when he was rehabbing from hip surgery and could not drive. I drove him to some of his appointments and afterward we would have coffee or lunch at the City Line Diner. Once he could drive again, we continued to meet as often as we could. He was caring for Marilee and his concern about her condition was palpable. She was always foremost in his mind, regardless of his own physical condition. He told me that they became much closer as they both declined in their own ways. Their tenderness toward each other was obvious and poignant. He wanted to be strong for Marilee.
I used to wish we could have connected sooner. We both asked each other why we waited so long. I know now that the need and the opportunity did not arise until a few years ago. I think this actually made for a stronger and deeper relationship. A sweeter one. I was greatly enriched for knowing Brian and I will always miss him.

Remembrances of Brian Dwyer Part 2
He was a remarkable father who was loved intensely by his children. He was their support and their confidante, and they were his, particularly in the last few years as they selflessly gave of themselves to make their parents as comfortable as possible. 
Brian and Marilee were equally remarkable grandparents, who integrally participated with Anne Marie in the raising of her two sons, to ensure that they grew up to be the fine young men that they are now.
Brian and Marilee kindly helped us a number of times when our family was growing. When Christine was pregnant with our daughter, Sabrina, they said they would come to our house and stay with our two older children when Christine went into labor. Well, one night, around midnight, she did. Christine called to tell them we were going to the hospital.  Brian answered the phone and said, “ Oh. That’s great news. Congratulations. Good luck” and hung up the phone. A minute later Marilee called back and said they were coming right over. Another time, they stayed with our now four children for an entire weekend so we could celebrate our 20th anniversary in the Poconos.
Brian and I saw each other at family gatherings for the first 50 years that we knew each other. One Christmas, when Anthony and Dylan were little kids, we had the family at our house. I dressed up as Santa Claus. A Jewish Santa with a Yiddish accent. After distributing the gifts to the kids, I got up and announced that I was going to my next Christmas stop in Monsey. Brian got big laugh out of that.

Remembrances of Brian Dwyer Part 1
Brian and I met in 1971 when Christine, his sister-in-law, and I started dating. I was a graduate student in chemical engineering. Brian already had two children and was working in the textile industry. 
We grew up at both ends of NYC, a fraction of a generation apart, me in The Bronx and Brian in Far Rockaway. Two different worlds, with different experiences, but with similar values. After our marriages we became participants in and observers of a new family with its own unique dynamics. We also had our birthdays in common, October 17. Every year since we met, I always thought about Brian on my birthday. I always will until the day I die. 
Brian was a true humanist, an artist, a gifted musician, and singer. With his beloved brother, Kenny, Brian was a lifelong lover and caretaker of animals, of many species. He served as a dog therapist for many years visiting nursing homes in Rockland County to bring comfort and joy to nursing home residents. An unselfish act of kindness to people he did not know. He was the organist for church services throughout his life, as well for weddings and funerals, a testimony to his spirituality.
Brian was a magnet for people with his sense of humor, bright outlook, and his genuine interest in their lives. After we started to meet regularly in the last few years, I marveled at how he knew the names of restaurant personnel, bank tellers, pharmacists, hospital employees, really anyone he came into contact with, and knew about issues in their lives, talked with and was supportive of them. 
I looked at him with a sense of wonder at family events at how he related to children and how children related to him, so effortlessly and naturally.

Brian was a dear friend to us courtesy of the Rockland County Choral Society and we have nothing but good things to say about his character, his kindness towards us and others, and his beautiful soul. It is a great loss to lose such a valued individual that so many of us benefited from by knowing him.
May his soul rest in peace and may his memory be for a blessing to us all.

Ray and Michele Verhoeff

Uncle Brian was a wonderful man. So many great memories during  holidays, family gatherings and any excuse the family could find to drink wine. Such wonderful togetherness, laughter, practical jokes and just enjoying each others company. The Dwyer four where a special breed and the band is back together in heaven.  Not many people can say they actually knew Father Guido Sarducci :) Uncle Brian will be greatly missed and his wonderful memory will carry on forever. Like a wise man once siad  "All You Can Take With You Is That Which You Have Given Away".  His love and generosity has left us all a little richer. RIP Uncle Brian

I had only 2 uncles growing up who happened to be brothers. Kenny and Brian Dwyer (my mother’s brothers). These men played a significant role in my life while growing up and helped me become the person I am today. While growing up, both of these men and their families were always at my parents home for what seemed like every holiday and celebration. My father was an avid photographer and was the first in the family to have a video camera. While a picture may tell a 1000 words, on a video you can hear the words and see the action. Both brothers would always try to outdo the other with a joke, or a silly face and just general improvisation and debauchery. As it turns out, they were constantly trying to outdo and one up the other for most of their lives. If our family were to take a vote on which brother was more nuts and witty than the other, I say it would be a split decision. The making of those memories were some of the best times of my life as a kid and as an adult. Later in life when we would get together with all of us nieces and nephews who have families of our own, we would watch those videos, look at the pictures and get sick with laughter while at the same time educating the next generation of how truly nuts these guys were. Uncle Brian you were truly one of the best people I have ever know and while I probably never told you this, I was always very proud to call you my uncle. Good luck and Godspeed as you begin your journey into the afterlife. Tell Uncle Ken, mom and aunt Patty hello from all of us…We will hopefully meet again on the other side however I would prefer later rather than sooner. The world is definitely a darker place in your absence…Much love Tom, Lori, Lindsay and Kelly Fitzpatrick

Brian and Annemarie  and families- I am so saddened by the news of your Dad's passing. He was so full of life and oh, what a pianist/organist !! I miss seeing him and Marilee at Rockland County Choral Society rehearsals. He was always so fun and full of jokes !! I once told him his voice was so velvety, and that became our inside joke. He was always Mr. Velvet from then on !! I will miss him tremendously. With my heartfelt condolences. 

LuAnne Diamond

Dear Marilee and family
I was so saddened to hear about your loss of your beloved Brian.  I enjoyed singing with you and Brian in the Rockland Camerata.  Brian was a special person and will be greatly missed.
Joyce and Pete Kanyuk

OBITUARY

Brian John Dwyer Sr.

17 October, 1940 – 30 July, 2024

Michael J. Higgins Funeral Service Inc.

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