Billy Jack Breed

Billy Jack Breed, 33, of Groton, unexpectedly passed away on July 13, 2025 at Upstate University Medical Center in Syracuse.

Jack was born on September 3, 1991 in Ithaca, and he graduated from Ithaca High School. He was a lifelong resident of Tompkins County and a dedicated community member. He was a lineman with the Village of Groton Municipal Electric System, completing his education through the Northwest Lineman College. He had been a supervisor with the bridge crew at the Tompkins County Highway Department and had also worked with the R.B. Robinson Companies in Candor, Cornell University Grounds Department, and with Van Valen & Son Excavation and Drainage in Ithaca.

He was a life member and past Assistant Chief with the Brooktondale Volunteer Fire Company; a past Explorer with the Slaterville Springs Volunteer Fire Company; and a longtime member of the Ithaca Moose Lodge # 366. He loved volunteering his time and helping his community in any way possible.

Jack was a loving husband, son, brother, and friend. If you knew Jack; you loved Jack. He was the best father to his two children who admired and loved him more than anything in this world. Jack was dedicated to his wife and children, there is nothing Jack wouldn’t do for them; his world revolved around them and he loved them with every ounce of his being.

Jack was talented, hardworking, funny, and always there for anyone at anytime. He was an avid lover of John Deere whose passion he shared deeply with his son. There was nothing Jack would not or could not do. He was a man of his word and a friend to all.

He is survived by his wife, Hallie Neville Breed and two children, Wrenley and Callahan "Bo" Breed, of Groton, his mother, Tama (Powers) Budinger, of Brooktondale; sisters, Brandi Jo Budinger and Bobbijo Breed, his brother, Troy Tagliavento (Mickey); his "like a son" nephew, Connor Breed; niece Emma Peck; mother and father in-law, Christopher and Deanne Neville, sister in-law Leah (Craig) Cox, nephew Easton, brother in-law Chad Neville, the entire Groton community and Brooktondale community, many cousins, family and friends.

Calling hours will be held from 4:00 - 7:00 PM on Saturday, July 19 at the Shurtleff Funeral Home, 103 Lincoln Avenue, Groton. Private interment will be in Groton Rural Cemetery at the convenience of the family.

Memorial donations, in lieu of flowers, may be made to the Brooktondale Fire Department or the Groton Fire Department in Jack’s name. Online condolences may be shared with Jack's family at www.shurtleffservices.com .