GEORGE BREEN

GEORGE BREEN George B. Breen passed away peacefully at the VNA Hospice House, Vero Beach, FL on November 19, 2012 at age 92. George is survived in his immediate family by his wife Maureen of 31 years, his son George Breen and his wife Joy of Anna Maria Island, FL; his son Sean Breen and his wife Patricia of Jefforsonville, VT; his granddaughters Kelly Gerber and Robyn Shinn; and 3 great grandchildren, Hayden Gerber, Storey Gerber and Scout Shinn. George is also survived by his stepdaughter, Kerry Comollo Slattery of South Dorset, VT and step sons, Clarke Comollo and his wife Barbara and Keth Comollo and his sons Ryder and Kai of East Dorset, VT. George volunteered for the US Air Force at the start of World War II. He was a pilot of planes, helicopters and amphibians. Following his service, George worked for Stanley Works of New Britain, CT. After leaving the corporate world, George moved to Vermont and became a maple sugar maker having purchased Forest Farms in Winhall, VT from Scott Nearing. There he became a Colleague of Pearl S. Buck and a Vice President of her Foundation. While operating his maple farm for 13 years, he patented his invention, which he later sold to 3M Company, for the use of plastic tubing in the collection of maple sap. After moving to Manchester, VT, where he founded the first local real estate brokerage, Potentials, Inc., George served on the original Board of Trustees of the Ethan Allen Community College. As Vice President of Weather Engineering in the early 1970's, George negotiated a cloud seeding contract with the Shah of Iran, which successfully ended a 9- year drought in that country. After wintering in Florida of more than 25 years, George and Maureen moved permanently to Vero Beach, Fl in 2001. In his later years, George became an accomplished, award-winning pastel artist. His painting, "Teaming up" is in the permanent collection of the Vero Beach Art club. George was a passionate fly fisherman. His warmest memories were of the many trout fishing trips he took with his family throughout North America. Arrangements are by Cox-Gifford-Seawinds Funeral Home and Crematory, Vero Beach, FL. At George's request there will be no memorial services. Memorial Contributions may be made to VNA Hospice House, 901 37th Street, Vero Beach, FL.