Obituary of William Joseph Breen

William J. “Bill” Breen, a retired flooring installer, passed away after a brief illness on Wednesday, December 20, 2023.  He was 65 years old.  Bill was born in Concord and grew up in Burlington.  He was the son of Elizabeth J. and William A. Breen. He was one of seven children and the only boy in the family.  That role had some advantages like having his own bedroom, but also  some disadvantages, like always being outnumbered by his sisters in all family activities and decisions.  He was a graduate of Burlington High School Class of 1976.  He immediately went into the trades finding his place in the flooring industry as an installer.  He worked almost 40 years in the trade for himself, and for a wide variety of companies.  He was a bit of a perfectionist and if he wasn’t happy with something, he would do it again, which was much appreciated by his  customers.  He was always willing to lend his talents to friends who were doing home remodeling projects.

Bill was a person who loved to spend time with family, especially as he grew older and wiser.  He had a special sense of awareness and was always able to assess a situation.  As a son, he had a special connection with his parents, especially in their later years.  He, along with his sisters,  helped their dad in his printing business with folding papers, collating, or anything else that could be helpful.  He also helped maintain the yard and home when his father was unable to do it himself.   He loved getting together at family cookouts, the holidays, and celebrations.  As a father, he was so proud of his son, Billy.  He enjoyed watching his baseball, soccer and basketball games, and spending summer days at Salisbury Beach and the Cape. He enjoyed every moment they shared together. 

Bill was a huge Boston sports fan.  He was a loyal fan of the Patriots, Celtics, and Red Sox during their good years, amazing years, and even their dismal years.  In recent years when his mobility was challenged, he followed many of the game shows on television.  He was a longtime member of the Irish American Club in Woburn. He loved testing his luck at the casino.  He was a huge animal lover and loved his cat, “Kitty” and his parrot, “Pidgey."  Bill was a fun person to spend time with.  He had a quick wit, a great sense of humor and was always up for an adventure.  He loved seeing his family and friends have fun.

Bill recently had surgery and had valiantly fought over the past two months, with all of his being, to overcome the complications and setbacks he encountered since the surgery. Bill’s family is eternally grateful to the doctors, nurses and staff of the Lahey Clinic who went above and beyond for him.   Bill will be remembered as a great fighter, a loyal friend, and a man who loved his family. 

Bill was the proud father of William “Billy” Breen of Somerville.  He was the devoted son of the late Elizabeth and William Breen.  He was the favorite and only brother of Karen Moroney & her husband, Mark of Medway, Barbara O’Sullivan of Florida, Sandy Mackey & her husband Paul of Billerica, Cathy Crannell & her husband Jon of Wilmington, Diane Murphy & her husband John of Burlington, and Donna Joyce & her husband Thomas of Burlington. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., Burlington on Tuesday, Dec. 26 from 4-7pm. Funeral from the Sullivan Funeral Home on Wednesday, Dec. 27 at 9am. and will conclude with a Funeral Mass at St. Margaret Church in St Veronica Parish, www.stveronicama.org, 111 Winn Street, Burlington at 10am.  Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. 

Memorials in Bill’s name may be made to the MSPCA-Angel, www.mspca.org, 350 S. Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02130.

For online guestbook and video tribute see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net