Brian Moffett

Longtime Staten Island resident Brian Moffett died on July 19 after a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS and Lou Gehrig’s disease. He was 66.

Brian was born to John and Florence Moffett (née Rasmussen) on Taylor Street in West Brighton, where his earliest days were spent as one of the “Taylor Street Boys” alongside his older brother John, and his late younger brother Timmy, who died in 2014. Brian fondly recalled memories of this period, and his earliest sense of community came from the countless nights spent on his porch with his aunts, uncles, cousins, and neighbors.

Brian attended PS 19, I.S.27, and Ralph R. McKee High School, and later earned his GED. He’d famously tell people “I learned everything on the University of the Streets.”

In 1982, Brian married Andrea Susan Jacobowitz, and in 1993 they had their son, Jake Mason. Though Brian and Andrea divorced in 2003, they remained very close as they continued to raise their son.

In 1993, Brian began working for the MTA in the subway system at the Chambers Street Yard in Manhattan. The day after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, Brian was tasked with being part of the cleanup crew. He’d spend 87 days cleaning debris, identifying bodies, and helping New York City find its footing once again. He’d continue his career with the MTA for 26 years, retiring in 2019.

Brian enjoyed taking on the role of property manager for the Island Swim Club, formerly located on Rockland Avenue, in the 2000s. His former mother-in-law, Roberta “Bobbie” Jacobowitz (of which the intersection of St. Mark’s Place and Hyatt Street is named in her honor) was a founding member of the swim club. Brian was dedicated to Jacobowitz’ care until her death in 2014; it was one of the greatest honors of his life.

Brian’s greatest joy in life was his son Jake. The party didn’t end when his son was born – it simply looked different. Everyone in Brian’s circle knew Jake, and the immense pride his father had for him. Brian was a dedicated parent who made sure to support Jake; he taught Jake how to paint, build houses, craft, tinker and more.

Some of Brian’s favorite memories with Jake were that of exploring the city together, taking in musicals and other theater; and spending many evenings at Wo Hop, Brian’s favorite Chinese restaurant. He’d order egg foo young with pork every time. For a period of time, Brian moved to Keansburg, New Jersey, just blocks away from a waterpark and amusement park. It was there he’d hold parties and celebrations all weekend long, just for the sake of embracing the joys of living. It was one of the happiest times in Brian’s life.

Every year during the holiday season, Brian would employ a limousine to take him, his family, and friends to see the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Brian was notoriously anti-Christmas, but very pro-celebration.

Brian found a love of travel, which he shared with both his girlfriend Meryl Giordano, and his son. Among his favorite trips: Surprising Jake in Jerusalem, Israel, where Jake was working, for his 20th birthday; and Copenhagen, Denmark, where Jake was studying abroad. Brian visited Jake constantly, whether during Jake’s undergrad years at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island; or in Portland, Oregon, where Jake moved in 2015.

Paramount to Brian’s being was his unwavering dedication to his friends, family, and community. He was the person you could call to bring you to an appointment, or to paint a wall; he ran his own side-hustle home improvement company, Brian the Butler, for over 30 years.

Brian turned helping others into an opportunity to make lifelong friends, especially with Howie, Roxanne, and Corie Weinberg. He’d accompany friends in sickness and in health, ensuring they never felt alone or afraid. Brian was reliable and resourceful, and one could always count on him to figure it out. He was the life of the party, spending many weekends dancing at Bistro on Hylan Boulevard, famously with a Kettle One on the rocks, later evolving into a Tito’s on the rocks. He was known for his unparalleled wit and humor.

During Hurricane Sandy, Brian deep fried over 100 turkeys, hand delivering them to families who lost their home and couldn’t have a Thanksgiving dinner. Brian was eternally dedicated to helping the homeless find purpose and community, often housing the unhoused, and helping them back on their feet. He was generous for the sake of generosity and community.

Brian was a tireless advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, and would proudly display a rainbow flag at his house in upstate New York. He was passionate about getting the Staten Island St. Patrick’s Parade to allow LGBTQ+ groups to march, and when his son Jake told him he was getting married to his partner, Brian exclaimed “this is the best moment of my life.” Brian was inspired by love in all its forms, and the love he put out in the world he received back tenfold.

One of the proudest roles of Brian’s life was that of founding member of the Westerleigh Folk Festival. With his partners Jim Indelicato, and Joan and Scott Caddell, the festival has brought tens of thousands of music lovers together to celebrate and frolic since its founding in 2009. As the “Grill Master”, Brian, his son Jake, his best friend Jane, and later on, Jake’s husband, Daniel Keller, would grill and serve thousands of people year after year. Brian would continue to lead the event until 2022, when what turned out to be the early stages of ALS began to paralyze his body.

In 2015, Brian bought a house in Smallwood, New York, near the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. There, he’d expand his loving community, and he was just as dedicated to his upstate world as his Staten Island world. Renovating his house was a source of pride for Brian, and his son Jake will continue to see his vision through.

The last few months of Brian’s life were plagued by his ALS diagnosis, as his autonomy and sense of self were stripped. He became reliant on aids and medical devices, as his speech and body deteriorated. As he declined, he became an advocate for medical aid in dying, and was gutted when the bill did not passed for the ninth year in a row. Believing he qualified, Brian wanted to use medical aid in dying on Aug. 1, his 67th birthday.

Brian felt he was forced to live with the indignities of ALS because of politics, and the bodily control politicians deem they have the rights to manage. Brian wished that every politician who declined medical aid in dying may experience the discomfort he did.

Brian was extremely grateful to the friends who showed up for him when he needed them most, ensuring he never felt alone; although he was afraid, Brian displayed unparalleled bravery through the end of his life while facing the disease. Brian was also passionate about his work with a death doula and his experience with reiki, two practices that helped comfort him during his transition into the “cosmic goop” he planned on returning to.

Brian’s infectious smile and dedication to his community and his son will forever be missed, and should serve as a beacon for how intensely one can love and be loved. Whether it was the middle of the day or the middle of the night, Brian would show up for his loved ones, intently and intentionally. He had a gift for making people feel good and safe. He will eternally be one of those humans that there are too many acts of generosity to ever recount.

Famous for saying “life is good,” even in the darkest moment, he held that belief until the end.

Brian is survived by his son Jake Mason (Daniel); ex-wife Andrea Susan Jacobowitz; sister-in-law Lisa Jacobowitz and her husband Marc Teatum; nieces Athena Jacobowitz, Mackenzie Moffett, and Kelly Moffett; girlfriend Meryl Giordano; his dog Shelley Winters; “cousin” Joe Arbeeny; and countless friends who meant the world to him.

In lieu of flowers, thoughts, and prayers, the family requests tangible change to end of life care and for the State of New York to ensure the Medical Aid in Dying Act becomes law to ease others suffering in the future.

A public celebration of Brian’s life is planned for Sept. 21, at the Westerleigh Folk Festival. Attendees are asked to pay their respects, sign a memorial book, reminisce about Brian, and have fun in his memory at the event he held so dear.

Funeral services will be private. Dignified cremation provided by Harris Crematorium LLC.