Tom Breslin

Tom proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

His first career was with the NYPD, where he served as a police officer in the South Bronx for five years. However, Tom’s dream was to be a NYC fireman, and he was appointed to the FDNY in the South Bronx in 1957. He served as a fireman in Engine 50 and Ladder 19, as a Lieutenant in Engine 71, and as a Captain in Ladder 55 before retiring from the FDNY in 1980 after 23 years of service.

After he retired to Dunedin, Florida, Tom soon grew restless and began a third career as a Detention Deputy with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, where he served for 20 years. After his second retirement, Tom continued to serve as a school crossing guard for Pinellas County for another 13 years. Tom liked to joke that he only had jobs that required a uniform.

Tom loved jazz music and would reminisce about going to the Royal Roost Jazz Club in Manhattan to see performers such as Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis. He also loved 70s music such as Chicago, Neil Diamond, Billy Joel and the Eagles.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Maryanne, in 1960; his first wife, Rita Breslin, in 2000; and his second wife, Ethel “Mickey” Breslin, in 2014.

Tom leaves behind his sons Brian Breslin (Diane Breslin) with grandchildren Brian and Kevin of Suwanee, GA; Gerard Breslin of Largo, FL; and Tom Breslin (Donna Breslin) with grandchildren Kaitlin and Connor of Winter Garden, FL.

Mickey’s children include: Tricia Maloney (Tom Maloney) of Safety Harbor, FL; Suzy Donovan with grandson Johnny Donovan of Dunedin, FL; and Robert Nelson of Dunedin, FL.

A visitation will be held on July 8th, open casket from 5:00-6:00pm and closed casket from 6:00pm-8:00pm. There will be a service to celebrate Tom’s life on July 9th at 11 a.m. at Sylvan Abbey Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation at https://dogood.t2t.org/give/320847#!/donation/checkout.

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