BREEN, THOMAS E.
A Memorial Mass for Thomas Eugene Breen, 76, of Charleston, will be held at noon on Wednesday, June 21, at St. Monica Catholic Church, 696 Donnelly Ave., Coos Bay. The Rev. Karl Schray of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church will officiate.
He was born Jan. 3, 1924, in Washington, D.C., to Joseph I. and Mary Breen. He died June 16, 2000, in Charleston.
After five years in the Washington area the Breen family moved to Beverly Hills, Calif. His father Joseph pursued a career in the motion picture business and eventually became the head of what was later known as the Breen Office.
In 1943, Thomas enlisted in the Marine Corps to aid in what he called “the war effort.” He later became a member of the elite strike force “Edson’s Raiders.” That same year the Raiders landed on the island of Guam in the South Pacific. At that time the island was mostly occupied by the Japanese. During the landing, a portion of the Raider battalion was struck on a beachhead, which resulted in the death of most of those aboard the beach craft. Thomas was rendered unconscious and was later transferred to a Navy hospital. He was later pleased he survived the attack, though the explosion had cost him his right leg.
After returning stateside, Thomas decided to try his hand at acting. He returned to the Los Angeles area and began work on several films. Among those most noted were: “Luxury Liner” (1949) with George Brent and Jane Powell and “The River” (1951), directed by Jean Renior. Thomas enjoyed the company of friends such as Elizabeth Taylor, Spencer Tracy, Leon Ames, Van Johnson and William Holden.
After his brief career in films, Thomas moved to Phoenix, Ariz., in 1952. He pursued a career in home building and sales. He later became a member of the board of directors at the Del E. Web Construction Company. Throughout the 1960s the Web Construction Company was responsible for such projects as Sun City in Arizona, the Mint Casino in Las Vegas, Sun City Florida and numerous housing tracts throughout the West Coast.
In 1969, Thomas moved to Costa Mesa, Calif., to obtain employment with Boise Cascade Building Company. He worked with Boise Cascade until 1974 when he moved to San Diego, Calif., and developed his own company, Breen Homes.
In 1989, Thomas retired from the construction business and moved to the Charleston area. He enjoyed fishing and the company of good friends and family.
Thomas will always be remembered for his accomplishments in films and the construction industry. He will most be remembered by his family for his ability to ignore adversity and the kind and loving support he gave to his family and friends.
He is survived by his sons, Timothy, Daniel and Shawn; daughter-in-law, Kathy; and grandchildren, Sean and Dianna.
The family suggests memorial contributions to the Veterans Administration, Courthouse, Coquille, Ore. 97423.
Arrangements are under the direction of Coos Bay Chapel.