Samson "Sam" Breen

Sam, 65, was born in Mandeville, Louisiana, on September 25, 1950, and graduated from Mandeville High as Salutatorian and Most Likely to Succeed. He lived up to his classmates' expectations in his personal as well as professional life. He died on January 13th. As an avid sports fan, Sam chose to attend Louisiana State University because he wanted to see Pete Maravich play basketball. While at LSU, he was active in student government and served as Vice President of the LSU Student Body. He also was editor of the student newspaper, the Daily Reveille, and was inducted in ODK. He graduated from LSU Law School and worked briefly at Fidelity Bank before accepting the position as Head of the Governmental Services Institute at LSU. In 1986 he moved the program from LSU to the Division of Administration in the Governor's office. He served with 6 governors and established the first state training program, CPTP (Comprehensive Public Training Program) and was the first State Training Director. Sam was one of the founding members of the National Consortium of State Training programs and developed and brought this program to Louisiana. It was a model for other states, and the program remained in place until 2010. He was honored with the prestigious Charles Dunbar Civil Service Career Service Award. He also served as president of the National Consortium of State Training Directors. He was the first recipient of the highest award given by the National Consortium for Life Time Achievement. Sam retired from governmental service in 2008. Sam was known for his brilliant mind and for his exceptional memory of sports history. He was a poker player who loved playing cards with his dear friends and was respected by all who played cards with him. He loved to travel around the United States with his family and never tired of driving his "See the USA in your Chevrolet" car. He was famous for his Breen Burgers that still hold a secret ingredient. He has dear friends from every walk of life and he valued every relationship he developed and truly made a difference in the lives of many people. Sam adored his wife, Jan, and their two daughters Rachel and Leah. He brought the beauty of the Jewish faith to his family and taught his daughters the meaning of the holy days. Every day he shared with his family the importance of "Mitzvah" or doing a good deed, and he lived doing Mitzvahs every day even when he was very sick. Sam is survived by his wife of 40 years, Jan Rhorer Breen, his children Rachel Breen Everaard and son-in-law Kent Everaard and their daughter, Sophie; Leah Breen Houk and son-in-law Rick and their son Derek. Also his brother Gary Breen and wife Laurie Sternberg Breen and brother Norman Breen. He is preceded in death by his parents, Nathan and Freda Robbins Breen, his brothers Bobby and Nathaniel Breen and his sister Ann Breen and grandparents Leah and Nathan Breen and Sara and Hyman Robbins. He loved his in-laws, Janet and the late Edward Hawley Rhorer. He would joke to his fellow in-laws that anyone married to a Rhorer was really an "out-law." He marveled that a large family actually enjoyed being with each other and showed such love for each other over the time he had known them. They include Kathy Rhorer Wascom and Mike; Skip Rhorer and Laura, Davis Rhorer and Julie, Paul Rhorer and Christine, Megan Rhorer Cordova and Jorge and Jim Rhorer. Visitation will be held Thursday, January 14th from 4:30 to 8 pm at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government Street. Eulogy will be held at 9 am Friday, January 15th at Rabenhorst Funeral Home followed by burial service at the Jewish Cemetery on North Street. In accordance with his faith, instead of flowers, any donations may be made to the Chabad House in Metairie, 4141 West Esplanade Avenue, Metairie, LA 70002, or St. Joseph's Academy, 3015 Broussard St., Baton Rouge, LA 70808. To all his friends and family members we say thank you for the many "Mitzvahs" that were given to Sam throughout his life. Visit rabenhorst.com for online condolences.