Watertown, Massachusetts
1938 - 2020
BREAKSTONE, David Beloved Teacher, Writer and Friend David Reich Breakstone, 81, died peacefully at home on April 1, 2020, after a long illness. He was an inspiring teacher with a passion for good writing and a gift for mentoring students and colleagues. He taught writing and public speaking at...
Read MoreDavid is my long lost cousin . My mother Lillian Breakstone died in 1950 and my father and i moved to Florida. I grew up next door to David and Allen but lost contact with all my relatives and although i have searched for many years sadly it´s too late. If there is any of my long last family wishes to contact me ,I live in New York City with my husband Carl kaplan my email is [email protected] .
Diane kaplan
August 21, 2021
I was one of David's students at MIT and worked with him as an undergraduate "Associate Advisor" with his advisees. My memory is he lived in Cambridge when we first met but he moved to Watertown before I left and invited me out for a small party at one point. I have a clear memory of standing on a sidewalk in Cambridge when he told me he and Sharon had purchased the house in Watertown. With his usual impish humor, he said "It's a 30 year mortgage, but who is going to be alive in 30 years...
Dan McDonough
September 20, 2020 | Student
Sharon, May you and your loved ones be blessed with peace and comfort. I am so sorry for your loss.
Barbara Taylor
August 09, 2020 | Petaluma, CA
Dear Sharon,
After a long absence from David's life I had planned to contact him concerning our family tree this week. I am so sorry that I delayrf. David was a wonderful, kind, "sweet" person. Reading his obituary I see what a great life he led. I am grateful to have been his cousin.
When you are able, would you please email me the names of his paternal grandparents if you know them.
My very sincere condolences.
Alan Rosenberg, Cousin
Denver
June 08, 2020
A wonderful person, teacher, and colleague at The Heller School, he will be missed.
John Lippitt
April 21, 2020 | Reading, MA | Coworker
We celebrate the life of this incredible being and send much love to David's family.
Kat and Tom VanHammen
April 21, 2020 | Fennville, MI | Friend
Sending light and love.
Kristine Thurston
April 20, 2020 | Friend
I was a second-career Heller school student 1997-1999. I labored over the first speech I was to give as synagogue president on Yom Kippur eve. I asked David to edit it. He removed 30% of the words -- and not one bit of the substance. It was the most remarkable editing job I've ever experienced after a long career as a lawyer and in the non-profit world. He was a wonderful teacher.
Edmund Case
April 19, 2020 | Newtonville, MA | Student
Wishing you comfort and peace as you grieve David's death. Sending Light and Love.
Winona Fetherolf
April 17, 2020 | Albuquerque, NM | Friend
