Richard Breen

Richard “Rich” A. Breen, age 66, of Totowa passed peacefully on Saturday, May 4, 2019.

Rich was born to Richard and Johanna Breen and was a lifelong resident of Totowa.  He graduated from Passaic Valley High School with the Class of 1970. He continued his education at LaSalle University School of Management in Philadelphia.

Rich had a wide and varied career path.  He talked about how his first job was as a shoe salesman and he later worked as a truck driver and in area factories including the Contract Packaging Company. He had a thirst for knowledge and was a certified mechanic, locksmith, golf instructor and even studied astronomy.  He worked at the Meadox Medical Company which was acquired by the Boston Scientific Company and most recently the Maquet Medical Supply Company in Wayne.  Through his years he went to the Philadelphia School of Textiles which helped him with his career as a Cardio Vascular Technician making artificial arteries. His medical device division was moved to a company in North Carolina where he went for a while as an independent contractor to train them how to run his division. He officially retired in 2018.

While at the Contract Packaging factory he met Judy Cassano.  When Judy walked through the door at work Rich was smitten. Seeking the advice of other girls at work he waited until the end of the day to ask Judy out for coffee.  That cup of coffee led to a forty-four year devoted marriage.  When Rich first met Judy’s mom Jenny she liked him so much she said “when are you marrying her?”  The pressure was on.  Jenny would say this to Rich constantly when she saw him.  Just about every day Rich would get up early and head over to Judy’s home and drive her to work. But before they left Judy’s mom would make a big breakfast saying they shouldn’t go out for breakfast she could make it right here. Rich asked Judy’s parents for her hand in marriage and on May 24, 1975 they married at Our Lady of the Valley Church in Wayne. They had a reception at the Wayne Manor and honeymooned in Bermuda.

Rich will be remembered as a loving, caring, and always willing to help - Mr. Fix It, who had a great sense of humor and was just easy going. His huge loving heart is exemplified by his visit to a local pet shop with his wife and mother-in-law Jenny.  Judy fell in love with a puppy and her mom said “no dogs.” As they went to leave the pet shop the clerk said to Judy she forgot something.  Judy said she didn’t forget anything but the clerk handed her the puppy she fell in love with. Judy named him Spotty and her dad said she had to train that dog right away.  Well she did train Spotty and he was a loyal, lovable dog that was scared of his own shadow.

He was the loving husband of Judy Breen; devoted father of Julie Breen of Wayne; cherished grandfather of Johanna, Giovanni, and Xavier Carrasquillo and Jayden Dunn-Ford; he was the loved brother of the late Lorraine Breen.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the Totowa First Aid Squad, PO Box 619, Totowa, NJ 07511 would be appreciated.