Joseph J. Moylan, Sr. in a 1998 photo from The Press when he was honored by the Old-Timers Association.
Dr. Joseph James Moylan, Sr., born and raised in Ridgefield, died Feb. 7 at his home in Raleigh, N. C. with family by his side. He was born March 14, 1926, the fourth child of Frank Patrick and Margaret Fahey Moylan. He left home when he was 18 to serve in World War II.
Through the GI bill, he was able to pursue a college education. He earned degrees from the University of Dayton (A.B.-1950), Bowling Green University (M.S. – 1952), and the University of Massachusetts, Amherst (PhD in psychology – 1957) where he met the woman who would become his wife, Marie Clancey Moylan. They married on Aug. 13, 1955 and celebrate 60 years of marriage last year.
His professional career included both academic and clinical positions. He served as chairman of the Department of Psychology first at the University of Dayton and then at Parsons College (Iowa) from 1963-73. In 1973, he was hired to develop a behavioral psychology program at Dorothea Dix State Hospital. He became the director of Psychological Services at Dix one year later and served in that capacity until his retirement in 1994.
Moylan played both basketball and baseball in high school, baseball at Dayton, and was an avid golfer throughout his life.
He was honored by the Ridgefield Old-Timers Association in 1998 at a banquet at the Italian-American Club. From 1941 to 1944, he played football, basketball and baseball and was one of Ridgefield’s best of the era. He played on the first RHS football team (six-man), which formed in 1942, and was named to the all-league basketball team and was named honorary captain.
He is survived by his wife, Marie, and five children: Patricia Anne-Marie Moylan and Joseph James Moylan, Jr. both of Raleigh; James Patrick Moylan of Marietta, Ga, Sharon Moylan McConnell, husband, Alan, and grandchildren Anna and Yates, of Apex, and Debra June Moylan and partner, Nathan Wilson, of Raleigh. He was preceded in death by a son, Stephen Peter Moylan in 1987, his parents, and his three siblings and their spouses.
A funeral Mass was celebrated February 12, with burial immediately following at Oakwood Cemetery in Raleigh.
Memorial contributions may be made to: Catholic Parish Outreach, 2013 N. Raleigh Blvd, 27604, the NC Symphony, 3700 Glenwood Ave, #130, 27612, or the Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC, 3808 Tarheel Dr., 27609.
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