Peter Moynihan

"Peter Joseph Moynihan (March 1, 1949 – July 27, 2025)

Peter Joseph Moynihan was born on March 1, 1949, in New Rochelle, New York - a stormy night, as his mother loved to recall, and a fitting beginning for someone whose curiosity about weather and nature never waned.

From a young age, Peter battled severe childhood asthma, but as the eldest of eight, he kept pace with his siblings. While training for a short-lived boxing career at Carroll College in Montana, he discovered running, which became a lifelong hobby. He earned a BA in Political Science from the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada, in 1971 before venturing south to Arizona for several years. Ever the adventurer, he took frequent road trips with his siblings, camping in Mexico's deserts and once driving with his sister Karen in a beat-up Camry to Nicaragua.

Returning to New York, he worked at Covenant House and other group homes. The summer of 1979 saw him in Belfast, Northern Ireland, as a counselor in a program bringing youth together from the divided communities. He graduated with a Master's Degree in Social Work from NYU in 1980. He served as the Bronx Director of Catholic Big Brothers of America, Director of Outreach at Bronx Center for Community Services, and Director of Mental Health and HIV Services at Morris Heights Health Center in New York City.

In 1987, Peter met Anne, the love of his life, on a blind date in New York while she was visiting from Ireland. Enchanted, he made transatlantic trips for their subsequent dates. They married in 1989. Their son, Ruairi Thomas, was born in New York City.

The family settled in Fargo, North Dakota, in 1994. Peter provided counseling for nearly 30 years at The Village, Lakeland Mental Health, and Solutions Behavioral Healthcare Professionals. He retired in 2019. Dedicated to both his faith and community, he served as a lector and Eucharistic Minister at Nativity Parish, was a member of the Historic Preservation Commission, and led a successful effort to keep Hawthorne Elementary open. Peter shared his love of running with Ruairi - cheering him on through high school and college meets, serving on the Lake Agassiz Pacers board, and even finding time to run several marathons himself.

Peter's passions extended beyond people. He adored cats, exotic pets like tarantulas and reptiles, simple pleasures like cheese and dark chocolate, and enjoyed cooking for others. Outdoors year-round, he biked to work and cross-country skied on the Red River, even on sub-zero days.

For the past few years, Peter faced idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis with courage, traveling to Thailand in search of treatment. Though the disease advanced quickly, he found the strength to share this last adventure with Ruairi.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Churches United for the Homeless, Presentation Partners in Housing, Presentation Prayer Center.

A memorial service will be held at Nativity Catholic Church in Fargo, ND at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 4, 2025 with interment at Riverside Cemetery.

West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center

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