Awarded three Bronze Stars
Published June 12, 2019
PEABODY — Frederick T. Breen, 92, of Peabody, died Wednesday evening, June 5, 2019 at the Salem Hospital following a brief illness. He was the devoted husband of J. Esther (Donlon) Breen, with whom he shared over 70 years of marriage.
Born in Peabody, he was the son of the late Michael and Mary (Fader) Breen. He was a lifelong resident of Peabody and attended Peabody schools.
Fred left Peabody High School at age 17 and enlisted with the United States Army during World War II. He was assigned to the 74th field artillery battalion. He served in France, Belgium and Germany. Fred was a part of our country’s “Greatest Generation” and was awarded three Bronze Stars for bravery in the European Theatre. He was honorably discharged in 1946.
Following the war, Fred embarked on a 39-year career as a lab technician and retired from Eastman Gelatin many years ago.
He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, both in Peabody. He also enjoyed bowling and skiing, but his favorite endeavor was spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and sharing in all of their activities.
Besides his loving wife, he is survived by his two sons, Ret. Peabody Police Sergeant Michael and his wife Seaneen Breen of Danvers and Lynnfield Chief of Police David and his wife Robin Breen of Lynnfield; his three daughters: Patricia and her husband Frank Rodriguez of Peabody; Joanne and her husband Michael Caron of Danvers; and Janice Govostes of Peabody. He is also survived by his sister Anne and her husband Marshall Cole of E. Falmouth; his brother-in-law Lawrence LoCicero of Saugus; his two sisters-in-law, Mary Donlon and Helen McInnis, both of Peabody. He is also survived by his nine grandchildren: Marissa and Andrew Rodriguez, Robert and Alexis Breen, Michael Caron Jr., Matthew and Christopher Caron, and Kara and Kyle Govostes, and by 11 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister Norma Breen.
Visiting hours were held on Monday, June 10 at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St, Peabody, followed by his funeral Mass at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, Lynnfield to which relatives and friends were kindly invited to attend. Burial was in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Peabody. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to the Roger B. Trask Adult Day Health, 75 R Central St., Peabody, MA 01960. For directions and online obituary, visit www.ccbfuneral.com.
