Paul Joseph Breckell

He was born in Concord, NH the son of Joseph and Claire (Veroneau) Breckell. He grew up in Penacook and graduated from Penacook High School. He went on to Plymouth State College and graduated with a degree in Physical Education. He eventually earned his Masters of Education Degree from Antioch University.

He married Judy Dineen - Bergeron in 1987 in Swanzey.

Paul had his own impressive sports career as a young player before continuing on as a coach. His high school team, the Penacook Indians, won a class M State Baseball Title. His time at Plymouth State was filled with playing 4 years of Soccer and was the team captain his senior year, and was also on the Baseball team. Paul received the special honor, at his graduation, of The Outstanding Male Athlete Award.

Mr. Breckell taught for over 36 years, beginning in Ashland and Marlborough schools. 33 years of his career were spent at Monadnock Regional High School where he was the Physical Education Department Chairman for 30 years and the Athletic Director for the last 18 of those years. He managed the Robin Hood Pool for many years during the summers. He was the Varsity Basketball Coach for 15 years. In the 4 years he coached Varsity Baseball, his team won 2 State Championships. Paul coached the Jr. High Baseball team for 5 years. He served as a member of the Monadnock Hall of Fame Committee and was also inducted as a Coach with his oldest son, Mark inducted just this year. He was a Soccer Official for 40 years which spilled into his early years of retirement when he also taught Drivers Education.

Mr. Breckell’s love of playing sports was seen throughout his career and in his retirement. He was active in pickup basketball games at MRHS with both his fellow teachers and few lucky students. His children remember spending the weekends camping while he played softball on the Marlborough Miners. He enjoyed playing in the Keene Men’s League for 25 years. Once he retired he turned his attention towards golf. In his usual way of manipulating things to achieve the outcome he wanted, Paul was even able to get an official Dr.’s prescription that he carried with him every day. It prescribed walking 18 holes 4-5 times each week. In February, he got his first hole-in-one while vacationing in Florida.

Mr. Breckell enjoyed time with his friends whether golfing, or the monthly morning Poker Group, or breakfast with the “R.O.M.E.O.” club. (Retired Old Men Eating Out). He was also a member of the ELKS Lodge #927, here in Keene.

His family remembers him as a man of integrity, team-work, friendship, full of antics, competitive, hard work, first in the lunch line, never late, sportsmanship, and a man who knew how to make a short story, long. Most of all, they remember his fun nature and laughter and as a man who loved his family and enjoyed being with them.

Mr. Breckell is survived by his wife, Judy Breckell of Swanzey; his children Pam Millhorn of Arroyo Grande, CA, Kerri Anderson, and husband Jim, of Atascadero, CA, Mark Breckell, and wife Stacy, of Jeju Island, South Korea and Joseph Breckell of Keene; his grandchildren Marissa, Erica, and Matthew Paul Millhorn, Nick Anderson and Zane Paul Breckell; his sister Joan Tamke, of Holderness; and several nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, April 9th, 2015, 4:00 PM at Monadnock Covenant Church, 90 Base Hill Road in Keene. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, April 8th, 2015, from 2:00 – 4:00 PM and again, from 6:00 – 8:00 PM also at Monadnock Covenant Church. A private burial will be held at a later date. Fletcher Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 33 Marlboro St. Keene, NH have been entrusted with the arrangements.

The family earnestly requests that, instead of flowers, donations be made in Paul Breckell’s memory to the Lahey Clinic Foundation atwww.lahey.org/makeagift or checks be made payable to the Lahey Clinic Foundation in support of the Colon/Rectal Surgery Fund and be mailed to Philanthropy, Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, 41 Mall Road, Burlington, MA 01805.