Southbury-

Alvin James “Mac” MacBrien, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away peacefully at home on September 16, 2026. Born April 13, 1930, in Ansonia, Connecticut, Alvin lived a life of devotion to his family, brought joy to many as a jazz musician, and served the residents of Connecticut as a civil engineer.

Raised by a father who loved music, Mac began studying the violin at an early age. He then added the bass (also the tuba, mandolin, and accordion) and found his life-long love of jazz. He played with various ensembles throughout the state for most of his life.

He attended Shelton High School and went on to Tri-State University in Angola, Indiana, earning a B.S. in Civil Engineering.

He served in the United States Army from 1954 to 1962 and was assigned to the 7th Infantry Division in Korea from 1954 to 1957.

Mac enjoyed a long career. He was employed by the Connecticut Department of Transportation, Bureau of Highways, from 1957 to 1979, reaching the title of Senior Highway Engineer. At the highway department, he met the true love of his life, his wife Joyce. Joyce was a secretary in the department; she took his information when he was hired. It was love at first sight, and they were married from 1958 until her death in 2025.

Mac then worked for Frankland and Lienhard Consulting Engineers as a Resident Engineer, where he worked on some of the projects he was most proud of. This work included the Route 8 expressway in Seymour, Beacon Falls, and Naugatuck. He was also responsible for the I-86 (now I-84) expressway and bridges in Manchester. When these projects were complete, Mac went on to serve as Town Engineer for Seymour, Connecticut, from 1983 until his retirement.

In addition to full-time work, Mac also maintained a busy private civil engineering business and contributed his expertise to the towns of Oxford and Southbury. Mac was also the part-time town engineer for Oxford and served on the Southbury Inland Wetland Committee. When you drive through these towns and over these expressways, please think of Mac.

Alongside his career, Mac enjoyed several hobbies. He and his father built the family homestead from the ground up, clearing the land and starting Old Waterbury Rd. from Bucks Hill to their driveway. He kept livestock on the family’s small farm that included cows, pigs, goats, rabbits, and geese, and he and Joyce kept a large, bountiful garden. Jazz remained a cornerstone of his life, and he instilled a love of music in both of his children.

Above all, Mac was a family man. He supported his children and his wife in all that they wanted to do, gave good advice, and was unwaveringly dedicated to his family. This family included his sister, his sisters-in-law, their children, and the occasional troubled teen who needed a father figure.

Alvin was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce Anne (Carney) MacBrien; an infant daughter, Marian Therese; his parents, James and Helen (Rebner) MacBrien; and his sister, Helen Louise Hultgren (Robert). He is survived by his son, Nathan MacBrien; daughter, Carrie (MacBrien) Munayyer (Waffa); grandsons, Adrien Mac Munayyer and Nour Brien Munayyer; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Special thanks to Valeri Kamladze, Mac’s long-time caregiver, Mac’s team of doctors, and Griffin Hospital.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 910 Main St. South, Southbury, CT. Burial will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery in Ansonia, Connecticut, with military honors. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

To leave an online condolence please visit munsonloveterefuneralhome.com.