FREEDOM, N.H. – James “Jim” Breslin passed away peacefully at his home in Freedom, N.H. on Jan. 28, 2022, the day after his 77th birthday, with his wife, Andi and stepdaughter, Stephanie by his side. Jim had suffered for some time from AIzheimer’s and stage 4 renal cancer.

Jim was born in Providence, R.I., the son of George and Georgine Breslin. Jim graduated from Pilgrim High School in Warwick, R.I. in 1963, and Rhode Island College in 1968.

Jim’s first job was in high school at the Atlantic Department Store where he became a part of the family who owned the store. Here he developed skills which served him well for the rest of his life. Jim loved to work and strived always to do his very best.

After graduating from college, Jim became a commercial loan officer at the Old Stone Bank in Providence, R.I. During this time, he joined the Army Reserves where he quickly rose in the ranks to achieve the rank of captain and trained Army Rangers. He was activated several times, bringing groups of his Rangers to Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. Jim was a proud veteran and the ultimate patriot. (A trip to Normandy with his second wife was extremely moving and meaningful to him.)

In 1972 Jim married Suzanne Joyal. They were married 34 years and lived in various locations as Jim’s career progressed and blossomed. While they lived in Wisconsin, they were fortunate to adopt their beloved daughter, Sarah Hope, who brought great joy to their lives. Jim was such a proud Dad!

Jim and Sue finally settled in Freedom, N.H. and contracted to build their lovely home on a large and beautiful piece of land which Jim loved so much. Jim and Sue traveled extensively, taking their little daughter with them. As a citizen of Freedom, N.H., Jim served proudly as a selectman.

Jim had an amazing work history which included serving as a vice president at Mortgage Guarantee Insurance in Milwaukee, Wis., investment Bank VP at Drexel, Burnham and Lambert in New York City and Atlanta, Senior VP at Textron Financial in Boston and Atlanta, and several other positions. Later in life Jim worked for MetLife and Park Avenue Financial.

After Sue’s death, Jim married Andrea Peters Breslin in 2010; they shared 12 wonderful years together enjoying travel in their motorhome and flying to various places in Europe. Being of proud Irish heritage, both Andi and Jim especially enjoyed their trip to Ireland. Jim and Andi loved watching the wildlife that came to their fields all year round. They even enjoyed the bear that came up on their deck to take advantage of the bird feeders that had been left out too late into the spring.

Jim was predeceased by his Mom and Dad; his loving paternal grandmother, Mary; and his first wife, Sue.

Surviving family members include his beloved daughter, Sarah Hope Troy, her husband Chuck and grandson Charlie, all of Simpsonville, S.C.; his loving wife, Andrea, of Freedom, N.H.; stepdaughters Jen Bagley of Richmond, Va.; and Stephanie Gautreau, her husband Keith and grandsons Jake and Matt, all of Portland; his Chinese ‘daughter’ Shumin Gong of Beijing; and Jim’s siblings Jeanne, Deb, Claudia, and Tom, all of Rhode Island.

A celebration of Jim’s life is planned for a later time.

Many thanks are owed to the wonderful staff of the Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice Home Care of Carroll County and Western Maine for their loving care and for the chance for Jim to die in the home he loved.

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