John Linton Breen
September 22, 1957 – September 04, 2021
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John Linton Breen, born in Saint John, New Brunswick on September 22, 1957 to Robert and Helen (Linton) Breen from Saint John, New Brunswick.
John is survived by his wife Janice(nee Tonelli), his best buddy Austin (his Golden Retriever) brother Robert Breen (Susan), sister-in-law Rita McLean (Edward), his niece and nephews Erin (Adam and family), Timothy (Evelyn and family), Geoffrey (Danielle and family) and cousins David Price (Cheryl), Paul Price (Jacki) and Mary Ellen (Pat) Hogan
As a child John was nicknamed the Road Runner as he could run like the wind. He enjoyed playing baseball, ball hockey, biking, running and track and field. He was then afflicted by a rare swallowing disorder called Achalasia that was operated on and that put him out of commission for 3 years so he took up the game of chess with good buddies Fred, Ken, Charles and Richard. Once he was back, he took up the game of tennis with Ken and met Sue Bishop among others and his best men Randall Wilson (Anne) and Patrick Andrew Penny. They had so many good times together and more legendary stories than you can imagine.
John was a huge sports fan and loved to watch hockey, football, tennis and golf and analyzed the games with his brother.
John was a generous man with a great sense of humour, and was very proud of his many accomplishments. He was a graduate of Saint John High School and Saint John Community college (NBCC). He graduated as a C.E.T. (Certified Engineering Technologist) and on September 4, 1979 began his first inspection job at the IAO (Insurer’s Advisory Organization) in the Saint John office. There he made lifelong friends Bill Harvey, Byron McCulloch and Robert LeBlanc among many others. He was then promoted to the IAO School in Scarborough where he was a brilliant, funny and engaging teacher; John taught accredited insurance courses all across Canada, the USA and in Europe with his partner Joel Lifschitz who also became a lifelong friend. After 28 years at the IAO School John joined CURIE, (Canadian Universities Reciprocal Insurance Exchange) where he was currently employed as the Manager of Risk Reduction and Loss Control and enjoyed his role and interactions with over 60 universities across Canada. He formed wonderful friendships with many of the CURIE family over the past 15 years.
While teaching at the IAO School in Toronto John met the love of his life, his wife Janice and together they lived life to the fullest for 24 years. They loved to cruise and travel. On one of their 23 cruises John and his wife met Hazel and John Burns of Gateshead UK and always looked forward to cruising together.
John was a master chef when it came to the Big Green Egg, the Traeger and the Napoleon. He loved to smoke a brisket or bbq a tomahawk steak. One of their favourite spots to visit close by was Niagara on the Lake where they frequented Truis Winery as well as Wayne Gretsky’s for food and drink. They had a love of fine wine but John also loved his Alexander Keith’s. He loved music and had the pleasure of attending many concerts from U2 to Andre Bocelli both in Canada and the US. He loved watching music videos on his 92” TV screen. He said it was like being there.
John fought a courageous battle with cancer for the last 18 months and never stopped living. He never gave up hope and was almost always positive even though he was knocked down several times. He was as tough as they came.
Cremation has taken place and a celebration of John’s life will take place once arrangements can be made. An announcement will be forthcoming.
If you wish, memorial donations to Golden Rescue (goldenrescue.ca/donate), Saint John High School (stjohnhigh.org), Cancer Society of Canada or an organization of your choosing.
Letters of condolence, shared stories and pictures may be left for the family.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of John Linton Breen September 22 1957 September 04 2021..
Kopriva Taylor Community Funeral Home
Death notice for the town of: Oakville, Province: Ontario