Lawrence Breen

I am forever grateful that my path crossed Larry Breens at Horace Greeley HS in 1972.
I knew him chiefly as the guy the troublemakers got sent to, so when I was called into his office, I was in a panic.

That encounter began a life-long connection. Larry became my hero; a cheerleader, a source of support during a troubled time in my life, and ultimately a lifelong friend.

A note with a few thoughtful words was Larrys magical way of letting me know I mattered, and...

You were a good man Larry Breen. You touched many lives and made them better people. You are physically gone but continue to live on in the hearts and minds of your friends family and students.

Mr. Breen had the greatest influence on my life. I first met him while I was in the 10th grade at Lincoln HS. I was way wood, confused and hanging out with the wrong crowd. I didn't do any homework and play 'hooky' quite often. As math came easy to me, I did well even though I didn't try. I was in Mr. Breen's geometry class. He noticed me. One day in the halls he asked me if I ever read a book. I told me no. He lent me George Orwell's 1984. It took me forever to read as I was so...

I remember Larry way back when we were in the same dorm when we were both freshmen at [then] Albany State. As I recall, our paths pretty much diverged after that year, but I remember him with fondness. How our lives become more and more bittersweet as we get older. P.S. I love that picture.

Wow, Mr. Jackson, that's incredible.

After our son, Kenneth Gordon Jackson, was killed in an automobile crash when he was a sophomore at Greeley, Larry Breen wrote us a letter of remembrance on the anniversary of his death. This year, for the first time in thirty-one years we will receive no such message. What a fine and thoughtful man. Barbara and I will never forget his thoughtfulness.
Kenneth Jackson, Chappaqua

The word of Mr. Breen's passing brings up so many fond memories of our relationship at Greeley. As we both owned the same motorcycle at that time we had much in common.

His respect and ability to approach him made my high school years much easier. I was also glad to be able to speak with him a couple of years ago and I will always be grateful for his guidance and support.

Jim Harlow Class of 72

Larry and I became friends when I moved into his apartment complex in Mt. Kisco in 2009. When I gave Larry a copy of my photography book we realized we both had a passion for Buddhism, and Larry the dear generous soul that he was, after he read his Buddhism magazines would put them in a bag and hang them on my car door handle. I loved reading the articles that he underlined and highlighted. We always joked that our apartment complex was like a big family. We would walk our dogs and...

To Larry's family, all blessings and condolences. Larry was a special friend to my mother, Catherine Lowes, and gave her much support and caring as she declined. He was a good and straight-forward yet complicated person, and loved his children very much. I am shocked to hear he is no longer with us - so very sorry.