Joseph Brian Hannigan

Joseph Brian Hannigan (Age 76)

Brian Hannigan of Arlington, Virginia passed away peacefully on May 21, 2022 surrounded by his loving family. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Judy Sullivan, son Connor (Jennie Grimes), daughter Megan (Coulter Minix), and precious grandson Rory Dunn Minix. He also leaves behind numerous other beloved family and enduring friends. He is preceded in death by his father, Joseph Hannigan, mother, Gertrude Dunn Hannigan, sister Elin Crowley, and nephew John Michael Crowley.

Born in New York City on November 27, 1945, Brian was raised in Wakefield, Rhode Island and found his love of the water on Narragansett Beach. For the rest of his life he refused to pass up any opportunity to bodysurf a wave. While at South Kingston High School he made lifelong friends and often reminisced about his high school basketball days. He later attended Saint Thomas More School in New Hampshire where he developed his gift for writing. Brian went on to Saint Louis University (SLU), becoming President of SLU's Young Democrats and Chair of the College Democrats of Missouri. His political awakening in college coincided with the start of becoming a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan.

Brian's work in college as the chair of the Robert F. Kennedy for President club launched a career in Democratic political campaigns. He eventually became the Scheduling and Advance Director for the Governor of Illinois in Springfield. Throughout his life, no higher complement could be paid than referring to him as a 'great advance man'. He met his future wife on a double date in Chicago, Illinois. They threw dance parties, traveled to many countries, and watched foreign films. Later they moved to Washington, D.C. and Brian eventually became the Deputy National Finance Director for the Democratic National Committee. A great advance man with an encyclopedic memory and attention to details, Brian served on advance teams for President Carter's visit to Israel in 1979 and President Clinton's visit to Northern Ireland in 1995.

Brian's career went on to include communications and government relations. He worked to bring Major League Baseball to the D.C. area as Communications Director for the Virginia Baseball Stadium Authority until the Nationals arrived. He then began serving in Governor Mark Warner's administration in Virginia. Brian ended his career in government relations at Smith, Dawson, & Andrews where he cherished working with his longtime friends.

Brian believed in fighting for fairness above all, whether on national political campaigns or in his own neighborhood. He served as President of the Dominion Hills Civic Association for over 20 years. A believer in the positive impact of youth sports, he became the Chairman of the Arlington County Sports Commission, President of the Better Sports Club, and would often drive around Arlington every weekend to make sure his children's teammates could attend practices and games. Brian became a youth and high school soccer and basketball referee later in life, continuing well into his seventies, and found great joy in calling things as he saw them.

Brian loved life and could be found 'dancing like no one was watching' at many family weddings, looking for any excuse to go on a road trip, or belting out lyrics to songs by The Rolling Stones. He is loved dearly.

A memorial service will be held at Arlington Community Church (6040 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22205) at 1pm on Saturday, June 11. A reception for family and friends will follow at the family's home in Arlington. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his name to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (https://app.mobilecause.com/vf/PFFTribute/BrianHannigan)

LINKS

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