Obituary of William A. Breslin

William A. Breslin, 82, of Johnson City, NY, passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home on his birthday May 18, 2022. Born in Shenandoah, PA, Bill was a graduate of Shenandoah Catholic High School, and also studied at St. Francis College, Pennsylvania Military College, and SUNY Oneonta. He was a proud teacher for 35 years. He started his career at McGuire Air Force Base, NJ and taught for 27 years in the Maine-Endwell School District. He enjoyed many years of retirement, traveling to the Caribbean, Hawaii, Nova Scotia, and his beloved Ireland as well as enjoying adventures in and around Broome County. Bill was an avid reader, history buff, skilled cruciverbalist, and clotheshorse, who always looked for the union label. Some of his favorite times were recounting age-old stories at family reunions, summers at the shore, and boat rides on Skaneateles Lake with his wife. When he was not at the Ancient Order of Hibernians or The Beef, you could find him watching classic movies and television shows with Carol, often reciting lines aloud. He never relinquished the remote control to anyone. Bill was predeceased by strong women, all of whom had a positive and powerful impact on him: mother, Ann; sister, Anne (Farina); great aunt Mary "Mamie" Reilly; and aunts Mary Kelly and Margaret Kowalick. He was also predeceased by his brother and sister-in-law, Lee and Linda Breslin, brother-in-law, Michael Farina and cousin, Carl Kowalick. Bill was blessed with and grateful for countless friends, including his childhood pals, Joe Ewasko Decker and Frank Sherako, who kept in touch all these years. His family finds great comfort knowing that Bill has been reunited with some of his dearest buddies, including James Fitzgerald, Vincent Turrigiano, Francis Melia, Gerald Beurket, and Roy Mulcahy. He is survived by his devoted wife of 55 years, Carol (Marchetto), and his cherished children, Mary Claire (Lee A. Miller), James, William, and Daniel as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins. His faithful dog, Yagermeister, remained at his bedside during his final days. Heartfelt thanks to the doctors at Guthrie and Lourdes Hospitals as well as the Hospice angels for their compassionate care. In memory of Bill, bet the longshot, root for the underdog, and share a few pints with friends. Bill and his family firmly believe no one should go to bed hungry, and in that spirit and in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Broome County CHOW (https://broomecouncil.net/donate/). A Funeral Mass will be offered at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Highland Avenue, Binghamton, Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at 12 noon. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family. The family will receive friends at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Tuesday May 31, 2022 from 11 a.m. until 12 noon. The Mass will be livestreamed at tinyurl.com/12w5eun or by going to https://sta-sp.org/