Gerard W. Moynihan

North Reading - Gerard W. Moynihan, 84, of North Reading, peacefully passed away on Monday, July 28, 2025, at his home, surrounded by his loving family. Born on June 30, 1941, he was the son of the late Michael and Alice (Branney) Moynihan, and the beloved husband of the late Sandra Mae (Moss) Moynihan.
Gerard was raised in Saugus and graduated from the College of the Holy Cross, Class of 1963. He received his bachelor's degree and worked as a sportswriter for the Worcester Telegram and Lawrence Eagle Tribune. Following his writing career, Gerard became a social worker and quickly worked his way up to become a supervisor for the City of Lynn.
Gerard was an accomplished entrepreneur, becoming the proud partner and owner of Moynihan Lumber, along with his brothers, Michael and Jack. His skill in his craft led to a very successful company and legacy.
A devout member of the Knights of Columbus in Lynn and the committee chair of Relay for Life in North Reading, Gerard gave freely of his time and energy. His professional excellence was recognized through his presidency of the Boston Chapter of the HooHoo International Fraternal Organization of the lumber and building materials industry. Gerard was honored as Lumber Person of the Year in 1999 and received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016 from the Massachusetts Retail Lumber Dealers Association, testaments to his hard work and dedication.
Gerard was passionate about sports at all levels, especially North Shore high school sports, which Moynihan Lumber has been staunchly supporting for 40 years. In 1992 he founded the Moynihan Lumber North Shore Student-Athlete Award, a program that honors male and female recipients monthly and overall winners at the end of the school year. The program expanded to the Merrimack Valley in 2002.
Gerard took great pride in the program and followed the exploits of the student-athletes through their college careers and beyond. He was thrilled when they would come to the awards luncheon to share their experiences since winning the Moynihan Lumber Student-Athlete Award.
In his free time, Gerard enjoyed reading and spending time with his family. He kept an extensive library of books, magazines and old newspapers, with sports the major focus. He followed the Boston professional teams closely, but was happier to watch a game at St. John's Prep or North Reading High School.
Gerard will be dearly missed and is survived by his loving children, Shannon M. Moynihan, Kerry E. Lord and her husband William, and Matthew M. Moynihan, as well as his grandchildren, William Moynihan Lord, Kiera Mae Lord, Alexia Bobbie Lord, Sandra-Mae Virginia Moynihan, and Gerard Alan Moynihan. He is also survived by his brothers, Michael Moynihan and his wife, Kathleen, and Jack Moynihan and his wife, Hilda, as well as many nieces and nephews, and several great-nieces and great-nephews.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend visiting hours from 2 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, August 3, 2025 at Solimine Funeral Home, 426 Broadway (Rt. 129), Lynn. A Funeral Mass will take place at 10 a.m. on Monday, August 4, 2025 at St. Adelaide's Parish, 712 Lowell St., Peabody. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery, 159 Elm St., North Reading. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Gerard's memory payable to the Sandra and Gerard Moynihan Charitable Trust, which benefits breast cancer patients and their providers, and send to Rockland Trust, IMG, 58 Main St., 2nd Floor, Franklin, MA, 02038.