Joseph Bernard Breen Sr.

Born in Brownsville, Pennsylvania in 1931, to a family of 10 children, Joseph enlisted into the United States Army in 1948 at the young age of 17. Joseph was soon battle tested in 1950 and 1951 as an infantryman assigned to Company E of the famed Seventh Calvary Regiment, First Calvary Division which faced the toughest fighting and the coldest winter of the Korean War.

Although Joseph was wounded in combat several times (he was awarded the Purple Heart with three Oak Leaf Clusters) he always returned to his unit, and active combat, despite the option to return to the United States. He earned the Bronze Star with V Device, for valor, on 11 Feb 1951. Later, on May 5, 1951 he earned the Silver Star for gallantry against the enemy; the nation’s third highest combat award.

In the years following his tour in Korea, Joseph devoted his hard-earned experience to leading and developing soldiers who would make up the Army of the 1960s and beyond. Joseph’s final assignment, in the United States Army, was the First Sergeant (E-8) of Bravo Company, Second Battalion 68th Armored, Eighth Infantry Division. A unit positioned in central West Germany and an essential part of the NATO forces that deterred the Soviet Union from invading Western Europe during the Cold War.

After retiring from the Army in 1969, Joseph was recruited by the United States Secret Service and served on the Personal Protection Detail for former President Richard Nixon until 1973.

Joseph then transitioned to the United States Customs Service where he led the Tactical Enforcement Division (TED). The TED was a South Florida based, tip of the spear, unit created to neutralize all narcotrafficking operations and activities into the southern United States. These efforts are frequently referred to as the “Cocaine Wars” of the 1970’s and 80’s.

Joseph completed his calling of service to his country when he retired as a Lead Special Agent from the United States Customs Service in 1986.

As a devout Catholic, Joseph attended and served the church throughout his life. Religion was always central in his life. Certainly, while in the military and, throughout his life he moved many times; each time he was found helping to build a new church which he loyally supported and faithfully contributed to. He was also a devoted member of the Knights of Columbus.

During the 20 years before he moved to Melbourne, in 2021, he was a committed member of Saint Bernadette Catholic Church in Port Saint Lucie, Florida. In the last few years, as health allowed, this Christian attended Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Melbourne, Florida.

Joseph was also a devoted husband and father and always provided the best example of courage, honesty, and service to his three sons. Having just celebrated his 70th Wedding Anniversary with his loving wife, Anna Marie, this stands as a solid testament of his love and devotion to his family.

Joseph is survived by his wife Anna Marie Breen, his sister Elizabeth Rooney, his brother James Breen, and his three sons James, Thomas, and Joseph Jr. Breen.

Joseph was blessed with six grandchildren; Christopher, Melissa, Stephanie, Christina, Thomas, and Nicholas, and eleven great grandchildren; Chloe, Claire, Gabriel, Lyla, Hagen, Avnee, Arya, Raj, Jagan, Rohin, and Luna.

An evening visitation for Joseph will be held Wednesday, February 22, 2023 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Life Event Center at Florida Memorial, 5950 South US Highway 1, Rockledge, Florida 32955, with a wake service beginning at 7:00 PM.

A funeral mass will occur Thursday, February 23, 2023 at 1:00 PM at St John The Evangelist Catholic Church, 5655 Stadium Parkway, Melbourne, Florida. A celebration of life reception gathering will occur immediately following mass at Life Event Center at Florida Memorial, 5950 South US Highway 1, Rockledge, Florida. A committal service will in Arlington Cemetery will be scheduled at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Joseph's memory may be made to Tunnels to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island, New York, https://t2t.org/donate/ or to a veteran's charity of your choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.FloridaMemorialFH-Gardens.com for the Breen family.