Brian Francis Connolly

Brian Francis Connolly, 64, of New York City passed away from congestive heart failure in early April 2026.

He was born in Kenmore, New York, to parents Francis and Angela Connolly. Brian graduated from Niagara Wheatfield High School in 1979. He graduated from Syracuse University in 1983.

Brian led a distinguished career serving as Press Secretary to Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan of New York, Representative to Asia for Syracuse University, and most recently as Vice President of Communications for Columbia University.

Brian loved to travel, see unfamiliar places and have new experiences. He went to Tibet, Phuket, Bali, and every place in between. He had his parents visit him in Hong Kong and took them to explore the Forbidden City in Beijing and the Great Wall of China.

He was determined to see a baseball game in every MLB stadium and made it to more than twenty. On one sabbatical from work, Brian decided to travel across the country and do things like “standing on a corner in Winslow, Arizona” (Thank you to The Eagles!).

Brian also loved movies and music. Count yourself lucky if you experienced a U2 concert or a Grateful Dead show with him! According to his nephews, his love of music recently extended to hip-hop – who knew?!

Brian was an avid Buffalo Bills fan his whole life. He would sometimes even veer from his vegetarian lifestyle to have a wing or two while watching the games. Go Bills!

Once settled in New York, he relished his daily walks in Central Park and found peace on the High Line. His siblings will think of him every time they hear “Fascinating!” or “more on that later” – he loved an interesting story or to delay talks of himself.

Brian was predeceased by his mother, Angela, in 2005, his father, Francis, in 2008, his sister, Angela, in 1960, his sister Cathy in 2022, and brother-in-law Jonathan Weiss in 2006.Survivors include his sisters Peggy Connolly Weiss, Mary Connolly Landini (Piero), Patricia Connolly Zicht (Mark), and brother John Connolly (Christy). Brian also leaves behind his beloved nieces and nephews Andrew Weiss (Meghan), Nicole and Cristina Landini, Austin and Conor Zicht, and Cavan, Harry and Max Connolly, his great nephew Peter Landini, and his loving stepmother Judy Dray Connolly.

Arrangements and services are yet to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, Brian would love it if you caught up with an old friend, sought out a new experience or made a contribution to a charity of your choice.