David "Sam" Alexander Breen

Born in Columbus, Ohio on March 8, 1934, to his loving parents, Leo and Bess with five older siblings, Bill, Jack, Katie, Nancy, and Betty. He was given the nickname Sam by his mother thinking he looked like her brother Sam Workman. Growing up, Sam attended Catholic schools in Columbus and at the age of 15 met the love of his life, Pat Merrill. After graduating from Aquinas College High School in 1952, Sam attended the University of Notre Dame and later the University of Dayton before being drafted. Sam joined the Army in 1956, spending two years serving in active duty as an army medic. He continued his service in the Army Reserve until 1962, when he was honorably discharged.

Sam married his high school sweetheart, Pat, on September 19, 1959. They had their two children, Kimberly Sue Breen on June 4, 1960, and Kenneth David Breen on February 26, 1968. In 1959, Sam started his 33-year career with Delta Airlines, retiring in Jacksonville, Florida in 1992. He next embarked on a new career managing aviation government contracts with the Navy. That work blossomed into a successful family business run by his daughter, Kim, with partner, James Salvino today.

Sam attended Masses at Resurrection Catholic Church with his children and grandchildren every Sunday at 11:00am. He loved his church, volunteering regularly throughout the years. Most notably, he worked with the parish youth program for many years. He was known as Grandpa by countless program students. He loved playing golf and had a passion for all sports. He especially loved to watch Ohio State and Notre Dame football and PGA golf. Later in life, he adopted the South Carolina Gamecocks when Dan Demetres joined the family and married his granddaughter, Kristy. He loved vacationing, camping, birthdays, holidays, school events and weekly meals with family. Anything involving family and friends was his focus. He loved his home state of Ohio, “God’s country”, and everything about it. He loved Ohio corn, Ohio tomatoes, and Ohio corn-fed beef. Most of all, he loved visiting and attending the Breen Family reunion in Maumee Bay, Ohio held every two years. Watching all the Breen and Merrill families grow and prosper brought pride and joy to his life. Love of family, love of friends, and an immensely generous spirit defined his life. Sam Breen will be greatly missed but never forgotten, until we meet again…

Preceded in death by parents, Leo Aloysius and Bess Adele Breen; sister, Betty Cleary; sister and brother-in-law, Katie and Jack Wanner; brothers, Bill and Jack Breen; sisters and brothers-in-law, Betty and Bill Brown, Ginger and Ed Henderson. Survived by his devoted wife, Patricia Merrill Breen; daughter, Kimberly Breen Zimmerman; son, Kenneth David and (Anita) Breen; grandchildren Kristy Lynn and (Dan) Demetres, Jeffrey Breen Zimmerman and (Lyndsee Axline), Catherine Grace “Katie” Breen and (Lucas Soulby) Kenneth Samuel “Sam” Breen, Sophia Adele Breen, and great grandchild Lili Adele Demetres, all of Jacksonville, Florida; sister, Nancy and (Don) Guzzo of Columbus and sister-in-law, Loretta Breen of Wisconsin; numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and dear friends.

Funeral Services

Viewing Sunday July 21st 3-5pm Corey-Kerlin Funeral Homes 940 Cesery Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32211. Funeral mass Monday July 22nd at 11:00am at Resurrection Catholic Church, 3383 University Blvd N, Jacksonville, FL 32277, Burial at 2:00pm Monday following mass, Jacksonville National Cemetery 4083 Lannie Rd Jacksonville 32218 In lieu of Flowers Donations can be made to the Mt. Carmel Collage of Nursing “Katie Wanner” Scholarship fund. Venmo option @katiewanner_scholarship_fund