DONALD J. BREEN

1929 - 2022

BREEN, Donald J. Pharmaceutical Manufacturer and Ski Area Owner The loving and cherished husband of Katherine Hall Flather Breen "Kitsey", passed away peacefully at home and in the company of loved ones on Saturday, July 16, 2022. He was 92 years old. Donald led a long and extraordinary life. He was born in Shanghai, China on October 27, 1929, to Clement Joseph Breen and Dorothy Hug Breen. He grew up in the English-speaking district of old Shanghai, where he was cared for by a much-loved Chinese "Amah" and had a duck for a pet, which led to his life-long aversion to eating duck. He also experienced cormorant fishing and riding in a rickshaw, which he found cruel to the people who had to pull them. After Japan's occupation of China in 1937, Donald left China with his mother and brother for the United States. His father, Clement, intending to follow shortly thereafter, was captured and held in a Japanese internment camp with the family unsure if he was dead or alive for months. Clement ultimately negotiated his release and reunited with his family about a year later. Donald went to college at Yale University with the help of a scholarship and a job at a soda fountain, where he developed a taste for root-beer floats. He loved his time there, graduated with a degree in chemical engineering in the top 1% of his class and was conferred membership in Sigma Xi, a scientific research Honor Society. After graduating from Yale, Donald went to Harvard Business School and met his future wife, Kitsey, at a roommate's wedding celebration. Their courtship revolved around a mutual love of musicals, among other things, and after marriage they continued to enjoy both musicals and the company of a multi-partnered friend group for many years. Kitsey's kind, enthusiastic and easy persona was a wonderful complement to Donald's kind, humble, and dedicated work ethic. Together they formed a loving and welcoming partnership that offered a best-of-its kind childhood to their children, as well as their children's friends and cousins. In 1963, Donald acquired Otis Clapp & Son, Inc., which he ultimately built into a thriving, family-owned pharmaceutical manufacturing business. In 1978, he went to Saddleback Ski Area in Maine with the intent of purchasing a ski condominium there. He was told, however, that he could buy the entire ski area (in bankruptcy) for roughly the same price as the ski condominium. Seeking a new challenge, he did so and then ran both businesses for decades. Donald realized that the long-term viability of Saddleback depended upon growth, on-mountain housing, and water supply. When the land that the Ski Area leased became available for sale, Donald secured a loan to purchase it and the surrounding five mile-long mountain bowl, encompassing four 4,000 foot peaks and Saddleback Lake nestled at the base of the bowl to supply water for snowmaking and summer recreation. He achieved the first Planned Development District in the State of Maine and built the initial Rock Pond Condominium community. He boldly envisioned and articulated a vision for Saddleback's future as a premier, sensitively developed 4-season resort.   As a business man accustomed to making things work, Donald was among the most resolute men one could ever meet. If he felt someone else had not acted in a principled manner towards something he was responsible for, he could develop a singular focus to set things right and he was unable to move on until he'd done so. This happened with the Appalachian Trail over the top of Saddleback Mountain where a dispute over the future of the mountain and township took 23 years to resolve, ultimately in his (and the region's) favor. Today his expansive vision for the mountain and the region is functioning as the cornerstone for the future and he is widely credited with safeguarding the potential of a very special place. Donald liked to play games and was a passionate and consummate bridge player who enjoyed playing with his wife and children on weekend evenings. He happily played bridge (usually winning) with family and friends until the last month of his life. He loved to ski, especially with his kids. He also played men's doubles tennis once a week with the same group of four men for 45 years, each of them well into their 80s, chiding each other in their older years that they could barely walk, let alone run. Donald was an extremely hard worker who believed that it was important to find and pursue one's passion and who himself loved what he did. He was honest, fair, and believed in treating others respectfully. He always paid his bills on time, often prepaying them, and taking the time to write a hand-written note of thanks. He inspired loyalty. He had a warm smile, a wonderful sense of humor, and a gentle and contagious belly laugh. An array of dogs and cats all found him highly companionable. He and Kitsey agreed on many adages to live by, such as: "Many hands make light work," "Into every life, a little rain must fall," "Life is for the living," and "When invited, GO." Kitsey introduced Donald to the city of Gloucester on Cape Ann, north of Boston, and he came to love it as much as she did. Later in their lives they shared a second house there. As young adults they spent many happy hours on Gloucester's Bass Rocks, where they played epic games of beckon-beckon with their children and friends, and on Good Harbor Beach, where Donald loved relaxing, having long talks with his family, friends, or relatives, building sand castles, forts, or dams with his children, playing games or catch with his children, and occasionally attempting to enter into the frigid ocean water. Family was always Donald's first priority, and he drew his family into his work endeavors and passions. In return, he threw himself into the activities, interests, and passions of his family. He gave the gift of time and the gift of support in all definitions of the word. He was a kind, unselfish, and an affectionate husband; he was equally a kind, unselfish, and affectionate father; and he was, in addition, an unusually and extraordinarily supportive father. He was an excellent role model. He was deeply loyal, deeply involved, and usually (but not always) right. He was always only a phone call away. He will be missed terribly. Donald and Kitsey had a wonderful 60-year marriage, which included a large extended family of friends, that lasted until her death in 2014. He is survived by their three children and their spouses: Donald Breen, Jr., and Adina Galan, John Breen and Patricia McManus, and Katherine "Kitty" Breen and Tod Cowen. Donald was an inspiration to, and avid supporter of all his wonderful grandchildren:  Ben Breen, Casey Breen, Charlie Cowen-Breen, Philip Breen, and Max Cowen-Breen. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Richard Haddad; sisters-in-law, Betsy Haddad and Kate Flather; cousin-in-law, Emmy Newell; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his good-hearted, older brother, Dermott Breen.  A private Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, August 14, 2022, coinciding with what would have been the 68th anniversary of Donald and Kitsey's happy marriage. Due to Covid-19, the Memorial Service will be attended in person by Donald's immediate family only. Memorial contributions in Donald's memory may be made to the First Church of Dedham-Unitarian Universalist.

View the online memorial for Donald J. BREEN