Brian Patrick Breen

Brian Patrick Breen, 59 of Raleigh, NC returned to his heavenly home on July 10, 2020 after having lost a valiant five year battle with ALS. Though he left us far too soon, his Irish spirit, courage and kind soul live on in the hearts and minds of those that knew and loved him.

Born on October 28, 1960 in Cleveland, OH, Brian spent his youth in Jamestown, NY and then later back in Cleveland where he played multiple sports, graduating from Fairview High School in 1978. He moved to Atlanta, GA in 1987 to escape the cold winters of Ohio where he lived and worked for 21 years, met and married his best friend, Shawn, and then lived in Omaha, NE until 2014 when he and his wife moved back to warmer climates to her hometown of Raleigh.

Brian graduated with a BA in accounting from Marietta College in Ohio in 1982 where he was also the golf team captain his senior year. He later earned an MBA from Brenau University in Gainesville, GA in 1995. He embarked on a successful 33 year career starting in public accounting with Ernst and Whinney in Cleveland and progressing through financial management, treasury and CFO positions at several privately- and publicly- owned companies, including Sherwin Williams, Six Flags of Atlanta, Havertys Furniture, Simmons Bedding Company, and Oriental Trading Company. He was a Certified Treasury Professional, invited speaker at financial conferences, and a board member of the Association of Financial Professionals from 2006-2010. He retired in 2015 as the CFO of Tower Engineering Professionals in Raleigh. Brian was a smart, disciplined, and principled businessman but moreover was a mentor to many who worked with and for him during his career.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Brian was a man of integrity, a singular judge of character and a tremendous Irish wit with a dry sense of humor that drew many to him. An amazing husband and true life partner, he loved his wife deeply – never forgetting an anniversary, a kiss, a compliment, or gratitude. They enjoyed many wonderful travel adventures, golf tournaments, good food, wine, music, and spending time with friends and family. But if you really knew Brian, you knew that he had an unsurpassed love, passion and gift for the game of golf. A single-digit handicap golfer with a smooth, easy swing, his favorite club was his one iron (so there might be a bit of a match in heaven upon his arrival!). He played in many amateur tours, fondly recalled his college spring break golf trips to Pinehurst, and never missed a chance to try out the season’s newest equipment and fashions. Trim, athletic, confident and handsome but with an ingrained humility he was truly a role model as a businessman, husband, brother and friend. He will be missed beyond words.

Brian is survived by his loving and devoted wife Shawn (Akkerman) and their beloved goldendoodle Finley (named after his favorite golf course); his sister Denise Breen of Cleveland, OH, his brother Kevin and twin brother Timothy (Susan) both of Akron, OH; and many friends and extended family who loved him fiercely. Brian was a proud uncle who was loved by his adoring nieces Sarah Barnes and Lindsay Grant of Raleigh, Amanda and Emily Dorsey of Albemarle, NC, and Bailey Breen of Wilmington, NC and nephews Derrick Barnes and Davis Grant of Raleigh. He is preceded in death by his parents Jack and Helen Breen of Cleveland.

The family will receive friends from 5:00-8:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 16 at Mitchell Funeral Home, 7209 Glenwood Ave in Raleigh, NC. Visitation attendance will be limited to 25 guests at a time. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 17, also at Mitchell Funeral Home followed by his committal service at Raleigh Memorial Park. Funeral attendance and seating will be limited to 50 people.

The family gratefully declines flowers but donations can be made in memory of Brian to the NC ALS Association (www.alsnc.org ) or the Duke ALS clinic (https://www.dukealsclinic.com/how-you-can-help).