Obituary of John Howard Breeze
SLINGERLANDS –
John Howard Breeze, 81, died peacefully in his sleep on November 7, 2023.
Born in Albany, N.Y., he was the son of Howard Gates Breeze and Helen Marion McClellan Breeze.
Following high school Mr. Breeze became, at the time, the youngest real estate broker in New York State and pursued degree studies at Parsons College and Grinnell College. In 1967, Mr. Breeze joined the United States Coast Guard and was posted as the navigator of the USCGC Sorrel in Seward, Alaska. He loved the wildness and possibilities of Alaska and serving his country, even on patrol to remote Bering Sea islands. Upon his return to the lower 48, Mr. Breeze settled on the farm in New Scotland his parents had built in the 1930’s. There, he would raise a family and following his graduation from Albany Law School, began what became a law career spanning over five decades. Until shortly before his death, he led and helped clients with real estate development, multi-generational business growth, and in planning for life and later.
During his life, John was active in a variety of civic organizations including the American Red Cross, the Cornell Cooperative Extension, 4-H, Youth for Understanding, Town of New Scotland Republican Party and the St. Andrew’s Society of Albany. His encouragement and guidance for Breeze household exchange students fostered lifelong relationships with his numerous “bonus children”: Bertrand Romagné, Andreas Grimme, Line Goetz, Kathrin Ostermann, Roberto Lopez, Denis Tokmakov, Fabian Soto, and Lloyd Angulo.
John’s patience, understanding and generosity extended to people in all walks of life and in all varieties of need. His sense of justice and fairness always prevailed and he championed causes while mentoring people to achieve their dreams. He possessed a keen intellectual curiosity, a sharp wit, a love of books, a middling tennis game, a passion for cars–the faster and sleeker the better–and road rallies, and an extraordinary affection for his two favorite strawberry blondes: his Golden Retrievers Meg and Carra. John celebrated his Scottish heritage, less for the whisky or the haggis, and more for the courage to persevere, an unbending will for freedom, and “faire sans dire”. He was and will forever be remembered as a gentle man, a good man; one of the finest ever.
John is survived by his beloved sons Ward Breeze (Marcia Hatch) and Colin Breeze (Rimma); Ward’s sons Ronan and Shaw; Colin and Rimma’s sons Augustine and Julian; Marcia’s children JD and Clare; Ward and Colin’s mother Janet Maxon Breeze; his life partner Linda W. Weiss; Linda’s son Russell (Kate); and Russell and Kate’s children Isabelle, Millie, and William. He is also survived by his treasured extended family including sister Mary Browne (the late Steven); nephew Erik Browne; niece Heidi Ricks and her family; nephew Adam Browne and his family; and cousins Sandi Jones, Suzie McClellan-Whiting, and Robin and Gordon McClellan.
Cremation has taken place through the care of Simple Choices, Inc.
A memorial service will be held from 1:30-4:30 pm on Friday, November 17, 2023, at “Piper’s Glen”, 90 Bullock Road, Slingerlands, N.Y. 12159. Kilts and stories welcome!
Remembrances in John’s name may be made to the Education Center Building Fund, Albany County Historical Association, 9 Ten Broeck Place, Albany, NY 12210 or to Torrey Pines High School Boys’ Water Polo, 3710 Del Mar Heights Road, San Diego, CA 92130.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the Breeze Family, online at: SimpleChoicesCremation.com
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