OBITUARY

BELOVED PRIEST AND COMMUNITY ACTIVIST FATHER JOSEPH BREEN DIES AT 87

Reverend Joseph Patrick Breen, beloved Catholic Priest, proud Irishman, cherished family patriarch, community activist, friend and lover of all people everywhere passed away peacefully May 21, 2022, at his home at Mary Queen of Angels in Nashville, according to a family obituary.

His obituary reads: “Father Breen was born in Nashville on March 28, 1935. He was the eighth child out of nine born to Anne Marie and Paul Breen, Sr., loving parents and people of strong faith.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters; Ann Treadway, brother-in- law Felix Treadway, Mary Jo Beavin, brother-in-law Bill Beavin, brother-in-law Wallace Williams, brothers; William Breen, Sr., Paul Breen, sister-in-law Betty Breen, Thomas Breen, sister-in-law Jean Breen, Hugh Breen, Reverend Philip M. Breen, niece, Susan Beavin, great nephew, Paul Beavin, Jr.

He is survived by his sister Dorothy Williams of Birmingham, his sisters-inlaw Barbara Breen and Mary Breen. He leaves behind 29 nieces and nephews, numerous great nieces and nephews, and nephews for whom he bought trunkloads of fireworks for various holidays through the years, and several great, great nieces and nephews.

Father Breen attended Christ the King grade school and graduated from Father Ryan High School in 1954 where his love of milkshakes made with whole milk was born. He earned a bachelor’s degree from St. Ambrose College in Davenport, Iowa and completed his studies in Theology at the North American College in Rome. He returned to Rome and completed his graduate studies in theology from the Gregorian University in 1978.

Following his ordination, Father Breen was assigned Associate Pastor of Holy Rosary Parish in Memphis and taught at Catholic High School for Boys. In 1966 Father Breen was transferred to Chattanooga where he was an Associate Pastor at St. Peter and Paul Parish. He was also Assistant Principal and teacher at Notre Dame High School. In 1969

he became the pastor of St. Therese of Lisieux Parish of Cleveland. In addition, he was responsible for their mission outreach in Copperhill and Athens. In 1974 he began a ten-year appointment as Pastor of St. Rose of Lima Parish in Murfreesboro. In 1984 he was assigned Pastor of St. Edward Parish. He served there for thirty years until he retired in 2014. During that time he was instrumental in purchasing the building which became Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, the Nashville diocese’s first parish for Spanish speaking Catholics.

Father Breen was an approachable priest, less concerned with ceremony than connection; more focused on people than process. Through his simple message of family, friends and faith he helped us all develop a deeper walk with the Lord.

After retirement Father Breen moved to Mary Queen of Angels where he occasionally led mass to a packed room at their Chapel. More often, though, he engaged in the ministry of walking around, touching people, praying for them, inquiring after their families and sharing his chocolate candy. At the end he was surrounded by wonderful friends and staff who eased his transition to heaven.

Father Breen received numerous awards and honors among the community but he was mostly known for his love and compassion for all people. To the very end he tirelessly promoted issues of equality, equity and love — always, always love. He wasn’t afraid to love people. He wasn’t afraid to touch them. He fearlessly prayed for us all. He wanted everyone to feel the same love and acceptance he had felt throughout his life.

No issue was too scary, no person too broken for Joe Pat to love them. He never failed to ask if there was anything he could do for you, even on his deathbed, which is how we know that he was doing the Lord’s work, because Jesus said ‘… whatever you do for the least of these, you do unto me.’”