Brian Charles Fear

Brian Charles Fear, 53, of Bridgewater, Virginia, passed away on Wednesday, August 19, 2026 at his home in Bridgewater, Virginia. Brian was born on March 27,1973 to Charles and Bonnie Fear in Bethesda, Maryland, but grew up and attended school alongside his two sisters in Mystic, Connecticut. He graduated from Robert E. Fitch Senior High School in Groton, CT in 1992 and attended Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut.

After college, Brian began his career in retail management. He worked his way from department manager at Sneaker Stadium in Farmington, CT to General Manager of Old Navy in Plainville, CT until 2006. Briefly working with Macy's, Brian began his 18-year career with JCPenney in 2007 in Meriden, CT. He moved with his family to Narragansett, RI in 2009 to take a position as Assistant Store Manager for JCPenney in Warwick, RI. At the end of 2011, Brian and his family moved to Broadway, VA where he was the General Manager for JCPenney in Harrisonburg, VA for 14 years.

Growing up in Mystic, CT, Brian developed a love for cooking and fishing. His interest in cooking began while working at the Captain Daniel Packer Inne in Mystic, CT during summers home from college. His ability to use basic ingredients and combine flavors was not only demonstrated through his cooking skills, but also in his creativity and dish presentation. When he wasn't cooking up a great meal for his family, he was cheering on his favorite football team, the New York Jets, or fishing with his father in the New Hampshire mountains and on Kent Pond in Vermont with his family. He had a green thumb and always had a garden outside and plants in the house. Brian had several pets during his lifetime, mostly dogs, but all animals took to him. If he was watching the Jets play on any given day, he would have a beer in hand and a cat or large dog on his lap.

Brian was married to Christine (Greenlaw) for 25 years during which time they had three children whom he loved very much. Brian is survived by his children, Alex, 27 of Baltimore, MD, Emily, 25 of Harrisonburg, VA, Vivian, 20 of Singers Glen, VA and the mother of his children, Christine, also of Singers Glen, VA. Brian is survived by his parents, Charles and Bonnie Fear of Mystic/Uncasville, CT, his sister Shawn L. Willingham of Ledyard, CT and her children Caitlyn and Sam Willingham, his sister Michele Fear (Gollmer) of Jenkins Township, PA and her children Seth and Danielle Gollmer, his in-laws in Glastonbury, CT and Holgate, OH., along with several nieces and nephews. Brian is predeceased by his father and mother in-law and close friends, Douglas and Linda Greenlaw of Glastonbury, CT.

He leaves behind many friends from Connecticut, Rhode Island and Virginia, all of whom he cherished spending time with and all of whom have entertaining and funny stories to share of their time with Brian. He was a smart, witty, charismatic, respectful and honest man with an appreciation for a good laugh, the simple things in life, and love for his children.

There will be a memorial service at Saint Luke's Lutheran Church in Gales Ferry, CT on September 11th at 11:00 AM. A private burial will follow at the Holy Cross Cemetery in Glastonbury, CT.

Please help us celebrate Brian's life on Saturday, September 12th at 146 Babcock Rd., North Stonington, CT at 3:30 PM. We will have his favorite foods, so please bring some of your best memories of him to share.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at johnsonfs.com.