Brian Francis Vaughan

Brian Francis Vaughan of Vero Beach, FL, and Gainesville, VA, passed away on December 22, 2025, at the age of 74 from cancer. Affectionately known to family and friends as Pappy, he remained a relentless optimist even in his final days, a trait that defined him throughout his life.

Born June 4, 1951, in Cambridge, MA, Brian was raised in Washington, D.C., where he spent his youth testing boundaries and questioning the status quo. His first job was as a paperboy for the Washington Post. Subscribers were lucky to receive their paper, because Brian would spend the morning reading the paper instead of delivering it. He attended Blessed Sacrament and St. John's College High School, taking pride in graduating with the rank of Private. This feat was achieved only after summer school following his senior year.

His refusal to follow the crowd served him well in business. Brian dedicated 47 years to Capital Party Rentals and Capital Rentals, a major supplier of tools and equipment to the DC area. As President, he grew the business to eight stores across Maryland and Virginia and loved working with customers throughout his career.

Brian was a family man, a devoted husband, and “everyone’s best friend.” As a father, Pappy led with empathy and an open mind; he championed risk-taking and gave his children the grace to learn from their own mistakes. He also always managed to find time to coach his children’s baseball and basketball teams. As a husband, Brian met his match in Stephanie. Inseparable for 22 years, she matched his wit with banter, cared for him through two battles with cancer, and together they traveled the world. A loyal friend and confidant, he was honest and supportive to those close to him. Brian loved his golf outings with the Louisville Boys, a group of childhood and college friends, and in retirement loved playing golf with Stephanie and friends at the Bent Pine Golf Club in Vero Beach.

He was a larger-than-life presence. Pappy often filled the kitchen with his baritone voice, improvising his own lyrics to Sinatra tunes whenever the real ones eluded him. He was a great cook known for his beef stroganoff and meatballs, a lover of film noir and international cinema, and a man who could easily impress people with his encyclopedic knowledge of trivia.

Pappy possessed an insatiable curiosity and love for adventure. As a teen, he hitchhiked across America; in his middle age, he traveled the country with his children; and in his retirement years, he continued to explore the world with his wife. He loved the nature and history of America, piling his family in a VW camper van to see everything from Crater Lake to the Grand Canyon, stopping at every obscure museum along the way.

Brian is survived by his beloved wife, Stephanie Vaughan; his children Kara Vaughan (Reese), Evan Vaughan (Dara Lane), and Michael Vaughan; and their mothers, JoAnne Vaughan and Amy Vaughan. He is also survived by his stepchildren, Jami Aguirre (Roberto) and Carla Marquez (Denis); seven grandchildren, Braydn, Lila Michele, Avery, Dylan, Stefan, Ava, and Christian; his siblings, Robert Vaughan, Monica Nelson (Bruce), Maura Vaughan, and Brendan Vaughan (Traci); and his aunt, Sister Mary Ellen Vaughan. He was predeceased by his parents, Robert Edward Vaughan and Mary Alice (Kirwan) Vaughan.

A visitation will be held at Demaine Funeral Home, located at 10565 Main St, Fairfax, VA 22030 on January 2, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

The funeral service and gathering will take place at the same location on January 3, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm, with the service starting around 1:00 pm.

Pappy, we know you're finally enjoying the biggest, juiciest meatball sub; you’ve earned it. We love you.