Breen family marks 150 years of service

by Jill Harmacinski, Eagle Tribune

At someone's very worst time, the Breen family has been there for them — for the past 15 decades. 

Members of the Breen family gathered at the family's 122 Amesbury St. funeral home this week to celebrate the kickoff of its 150th anniversary celebration. 

"This is just our way of saying thank you to the community," said Lisa Breen, who owns and manages the funeral home with her cousin John Breen and Charles Breen, one of her brothers. The ribbon-cutting ceremony precedes an official celebration set for June 29 at 11 a.m. at the funeral home.

A service will be held, officiated by Rev. Christopher Casey. 

The Breen's ancestors came from County Tipperary in Ireland to Lawrence in 1869, Lisa Breen said. 

Her great, great-grandfather, John Breen, was one of the city's, Essex County's and New England's first Irish Catholic mayors. A school in Lawrence is named after him.  Read more >>