William C. Breen, Sr. Obituary (1934 - 2015)

Mr. William C. Breen, Sr., 80, of Cape Elizabeth, passed away Sunday, January 4, 2015 at Maine Medical Center surrounded by his children. Born in Jersey City N.J. on June 20, 1934, Bill was the son of the late Edward and Elda Breen. In 1943 Bills family moved to Maine where he would spend the rest of his life. Bill graduated from Portland High School, Class of 1953. He married Carolyn M. Oliver in 1963. Together, they moved to Cape Elizabeth where they spent the next 46 years in a loving marriage raising four children. She predeceased him on December 12, 2009. In 1953 Bill won national recognition by winning a nationwide printing contest conducted by Ford Motor Company for the two color printing of President Eisenhowers inaugural address. He was then hired by Maine Printing Company in September of 1953. Bill spent the next 60 years with Maine Printing Company, starting out as a press operator and eventually working himself up to general manager. His employment and work ethic were a major part of his life, and something he was very proud of, but nothing compared to the camaraderie and the lasting friendships he developed with his colleagues and clients. Continuing to work into his eighties Bill still enjoyed being part of their team while at the same time being surrounded by some of his best friends. Working for one company for 60 years is such a rare occurrence that Bill was featured on WCSH Channel 6 television show 207 in the spring of 2014. A passionate fan of all Boston sports teams, especially the Boston Red Sox, Bill and his wife spent many years traveling to Fort Myers to spend the month of March attending spring training games. They enjoyed their season tickets right behind the first base dugout where they were often seen cheering for their Sox. Bill always extended an open invitation to friends and family to join them in Florida. Bill was invariably the happiest when surrounded by friends and family. Bill was an active member of his community, having coached little league baseball, and serving as a Communicant and Eucharistic Minister at St. Bartholomews Church in Cape Elizabeth. Above all else in life, Bill was proud of his family. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather who will be deeply missed. Bill is survived by his daughter, Kelly Hodgkins and her husband Michael of South Portland; sons, William Breen, Jr. of Cape Elizabeth, Michael Breen of Brooklyn, NY, and Christopher Breen of South Portland; his sister, Irene Morgan of Westbrook. He is also survived by his beloved grandchildren, Daniel Hodgkins, Thomas Hodgkins, Noelle Breen and Anthony Breen along with several extended family members and close friends. Visiting Hours will be held on Wednesday from 4-8PM in the Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. Prayers will be recited on Thursday at 10:15AM in the Funeral Home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11AM in St. Bartholomews Church, 8 Two Lights Road, Cape Elizabeth. Interment will be in the spring at Riverside Memorial Cemetery, Cape Elizabeth. Online condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.ctcrawford.com Those desiring may make memorial contributions can donate to the charity of your choice.