Former Belmar Police Chief Daniel A. Moynihan Dies At 83

Courtesy of the O'Brien Funeral Home

Retired Belmar Police Chief Daniel A. Moynihan went to be with God on May 18, 2017 with his devoted family at his side. He was 83.

Dan was born and raised in New York City until he joined the New York National Guard and was eventually sent to Ft. Hood, Texas. From there, Dan was shipped to Korea where, while engaged in the Battle of Pork Chop Hill, was injured and would later receive the Purple Heart.

After returning to the states, he was stationed at Fort Monmouth in New Jersey, where he was a military police officer. After a short stint as a bus driver, Dan joined the Belmar Police Department as a Special Officer in 1959. He rose through the ranks and retired as Chief in 1990.

After his retirement from the force, Dan ran the Home Arrest Program for Monmouth County Corrections Office and later was a senior toll taker on the Garden State Parkway. Dan also spent a few years as a substitute teacher at the Belmar Elementary School. Dan held many side jobs during his life and managed to graduate with an Associate's Degree in Criminology at Ocean County College while working three jobs and supporting a family.

A man of the community, Dan belonged to the Belmar Hook and Ladder Fire Company, Manasquan Elks Lodge 2534, the VFW, Purple Heart Association, Monmouth County Chiefs Association, and the Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh of the Jersey Shore. A man of faith, he was an usher and Eucharistic minister at St. Rose Church of Belmar as well as a member of the Cornerstone Men's Group.

He was predeceased by his parents Helen and Daniel Moynihan, his brother Andrew and his sister Johanna. His was also predeceased by his first wife Maria Moynihan.

He is survived by his wife Joyce Moynihan, son Joseph Moynihan and daughter-in-law Laurie, his step-children Joan and Jim Farmer, Vita and David Jankowski, Gina and Joe Iacobelli, and Frank and Francesca Giudici.

He is survived by his granddaughter Jillian Moynihan and his step-grandchildren Jimmy, Frankie, Sydney, Luke, Jessica, Christopher, Billy, Samantha, Frankie, Michael and John-John.

Dan was loved by many and will be dearly missed.

Visitation will be on Monday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the O'Brien Funeral Home, 2028 Hwy 35 at New Bedford Rd., Wall, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at St. Rose Church, 603 7th Ave., Belmar. Burial will be in the Moynihan family plot in St. Anne's Cemetery, Wall.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital , 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, Tenn., 38105, envelopes will be provided at the funeral home on Monday.

For directions, to offer online condolences to the family or for further information please visit www.obrienfuneralhome.com

Image: Patch file photo.