RICHARD R. BREDA

BREDA, Richard R. Of Wenham, MA. It is with great sadness, yet cherished memories, that we announce the death of Richard R. Breda, on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at the Care Dimensions Kaplan Family Hospice House, in Danvers, at the age of 92, where he died peacefully surrounded by family. A devoted family man, a humble man and true "gentle" man, Richard "Dick" was born and raised in Chelsea, where his family owned Breda Brothers Bakery and he attended Immaculate Conception High School. During high school, Richard met the love his life, his late wife of 64 years, Theresa "Tess" Gesmundo, who passed away in October of 2020. They have three daughters, Diane Silva and her husband, John of Portsmouth, NH, Joyce D'Angelo and her husband, Michael of Bradenton, FL and Beverly O'Keefe and her husband, John of Hamilton, MA. Richard attended Bentley College and then enlisted in the United States Air Force. He was a Staff Sergeant and crewmember of a B-36, stationed in Roswell, New Mexico and Guam during the Korean War. His work ethic was unsurpassed. In 1998, Richard retired after working 40 years as an electrician, IBEW Local 109 , for the New England Telephone Company in Boston. Athletic always, Richard was a captain of the Chelsea Soldiers' Home football team. He loved baseball most of all - in high school, he even hit one off the Green Monster during a tryout for the Red Sox. He was also a competitive league bowler for many years. He and his brother, Geno, reminisced endlessly about their younger years growing up with some high-spirited fun, including sledding and delivering newspapers between taking care of the chickens and vegetable gardens at their home. For his family, Richard built their last two houses on land he and Tess found in Peabody and Wenham. Both were homes to be proud of, with the latter on a beautiful lake. Taking care of his homes was his constant passion. Richard was the consummate "do it yourselfer." His homes did shine. His outstanding stone and masonry work stills stand strong today. Richard's family was always his priority. Summers often included a family vacation to Goose Rocks Beach in Kennebunkport, Maine, where many memories were made. "Papa" was often knee-deep at low tide finding sand dollars to give his grandchildren. Richard is survived by his sister, Claire Fitzgerald and her husband, John "Bud" of Chelsea; his grandchildren, Jacqueline Silva Garnett and her husband, Will, Brett Silva, Anthony D'Angelo, Shawn O'Keefe and his wife, Alexa, Caroline O'Keefe, Ariana O'Keefe; great-grandson, Mason Garnett; and fourteen nieces and nephews. Richard was predeceased by his parents, Remigio and Gioconda Breda; his sister, Alice Capistran and her husband, George of Chelsea; his brother, Geno Breda and his wife, Marianne of Revere; and his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Anne and Paul Gesmundo of Hamilton. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated at the Church of St. Paul, 50 Union Street, Hamilton, on Tuesday, January 21, at 10am. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting Hours at the Campbell Funeral Home, 525 Cabot Street, BEVERLY, on Monday, January 20, from 4pm to 7pm. Burial will be at Wenham Cemetery. Contributions may be made in Richard's memory to Care Dimensions, 75 Sylvan Street, Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923 or online at CareDimensions.org/Donate Information, directions and condolences, at www.campbellfuneral.com