Harvey Breeding

Harvey ("Hobby") William Breeding, age 84, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on December 14, 2025, at Accent Hospice in the Wilmington Hospital.
Our dad was born on February 15, 1941 to Elma Williamson in Wilmington, Delaware. He spent his early childhood in Dover, Delaware, living with the Parker family and his sister Joan. Later he lived on the East Side on Vandever Avenue with his mother, stepfather, Howard Breeding, and three sisters, Joan, Barbara, and Frances. Later they moved to 31st Street. A true city boy, he hung out with his friends and had a 350-customer paper route. He maintained many childhood friendships with people such as Gerry ("Shaggy") Turner, John Savage, and Butch Clough. As a teenager he worked at the Penny Hill Do-nut Shop and as a golf caddy at Rock Manor Golf Club. When he was very young, he worked at the Sunrise Bakery in Wilmington where he could eat anything except the amazing cream puffs and eclairs, but that didn't stop him.
After graduating from P.S. duPont High School, our dad joined the Air Force and served from 1961 to 1965 on a base in England as a fire fighter. He loved England!! He even saw the Beatles in the Cavern Club in 1962.
When our dad returned to Delaware after his Air Force service, he worked at Electric Hose and Rubber for a brief time before joining the Wilmington Fire Department. He worked at Station 10 at 25th and Market, and when that fire house was closed, he served at Station 4 at 22nd and Tatnall Streets. At one point, he transferred to Station 5 on Gilpin Avenue, but he found it too boring and moved back to the action at Station 4. On Sundays, he would make breakfast for all the guys, and he was a good cook. Don't forget the scrapple! He maintained friendships with many of his firefighter friends, and we got to know them, too - Al Reardon, Ed Sykes, Frank McGarrity, "Timber" Tambourelli, to name a few.
All the firefighters seemed to have side gigs, and our dad was no different. When he wasn't at the firehouse, he was probably painting someone's house, usually with another firefighter friend like Henry Lewicki or Eddie Clark, among others. He was a meticulous painter, which explains why he never let us paint with him.
In the early 70s when the City of Wilmington allowed firefighters to move out of the city, we moved to Windermere, where he knew everyone (and painted some of their houses). He loved playing cards at the Swains and talking to everyone up and down the street. Our dad was a city boy at heart.
Cards! Our dad loved playing cards, whether it was at the firehouse, someone's house, or the Moose Lodge. A few days before he passed, he played blackjack in hospice with some of his grandkids, Alex and Julia. Luckily, he didn't teach them 52 pick-up.
Our dad lived live on his own terms, but he was always quick with a joke and loved to talk on the phone. And he was an animal lover, particularly dogs. We brought our dog, Rosie, to visit him in the hospice.
Our dad is survived by his children, Devera Breeding Scott, Jeffrey Breeding (Michelle), Christine (Ed) Bowie, and five grandchildren, Alex, Alivia, Julia Scott, and Emma and Andrew Bowie. He is predeceased by his mother Elma and stepfather, Howard Breeding, sisters Joan (Bob) McCullin, Barbara (Gary) Carpenter, and Frances Abzill. He was also predeceased by his furry friends, Bobo, Alibi, and Sparky.
Services will be held on Friday, December 19, 2025, at Mealey Funeral Home, 2509 Limestone Road, Wilmington, Delaware. A visitation for friends and family will be held from 11A.M. to 12P.M., followed by the service at 12P.M., presided by former firefighter, Pastor Dan Walton.
Friends and family are encouraged to join us for a luncheon immediately following the services at location to be announced.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Wilmington Firefighters IAFF, Local 1590.
Finally, the family would appreciate any memories or funny stories about our dad that you would like to share. We know you have them! Please email them to Devera.Scott@gmail.com.