Reverend Neil Breslin

"BUDDY"

August 2, 1951 - November 21,2021

Reverend Neil Breslin, III (Buddy) died peacefully in his sleep on November 21, 2021, at 70 years of age. He was born on August 2, 1951 and baptized at Saint Columba's Church in North Philadelphia. Father Breslin was preceded in death by his parents, Cornelius (Connie)m James Breslin, Jr. and Eileen Crane Breslin, his niece Kerry Lynn Breslin, and his sister Maureen J. Daly. He is survived by his sister, Sister Lisa Breslin, SSJ, his brothers Anthony Breslin (Eileen) and Edward Breslin (Mary). Bud was the proud uncle of twelve nieces and nephews and nineteen grand nieces and nephews. He is survived by numerous cousins, and an extended family of friends.

From childhood, Buddy's deepest desire was to serve God as a Catholic priest. He served Saint Timothy's Parish as an altar boy and sang in the choir. After graduating from Saint Timothy's School where he was taught by the Sisters of Saint Joseph, Buddy attended Father Judge High School graduating in 1969. As a student, he was a member of the band, the orchestra, and the history and the German club. In addition, Buddy spent endless hours serving individuals with cerebral palsy; for which he received numerous awards.

Father Breslin always said, "God writes straight with crooked lines," and his life attests to this truth. Following high school he joined the Legionaries of Christ, subsequently entering Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary and graduating in 1974. Motivated by a deep devotion to Saint John Neumann, CSSR he entered the Redemptorist Fathers. Remaining with them for two years, God called him to a new direction teaching Theology in Chicago.

Another childhood dream of Buddy's came true. In becoming a trolley car operator for six years for the Philadelphia Transportation Company (SEPTA), as did his grandfather and father before him. Bud made friends of coworkers, collectors, trolley fans and rail fans. He was a font of experience and information and enjoyed telling stories of his days as an operator and as a teacher. He often gathered with friends, former students and other trolley and rail fans for sumptuous meals he prepared while regaling his guest with stories. He was a member of numerous organizations and frequently visited trolley museums and travelled to cities to ride the trolleys.

Bud returned to teaching Theology in the Philadelphia area at St. Maria Goretti High School and Archbishop Ryan High School for Girls. Bud concluded his teaching career at Holy Ghost Preparatory School in Bensalem, Pa. Teaching was a joy and a privilege for him. Buddy was relational, entertaining, knowledgeable, and articulate. He impacted many students and is remembered fondly by them.

Always a student of history, Buddy was an avid collector of telephones from the time he was six years old and accumulated a vast collection of telephones and number cards. He also collected transportation memorabilia, military photographs, and religious items. He was extremely knowledgeable and shared his knowledge with other collectors and anyone interested.

On May 27, 2000, Father Breslin's deepest desire was realized when he was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Wilmington, Delaware. His parish assignments were Ss. Peter and Paul, Easton Maryland, St. Mary of the Assumption, Hockessin, Delaware, Holy Rosary, Claymont, Delaware and St. Patrick/St. Mary's, Wilmington, Delaware. Father Neil made lifelong friends among the parishioners he served and visited with them frequently after he retired. Wherever Buddy was, he ministered to God's people and brought them to a deeper understanding of and relationship with God.

You are invited to pay your respects and to pray for the repose of his soul:

Saturday, December 4, 2021

Saint Timothy Church

3001 Levick Street

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19149

Visitation 9:00am

Mass of Christian Burial: 10:30am

Interment immediately following at Resurrection Cemetery, 5201 Hulmeville Rd, Bensalem, PA 19020 followed by a luncheon at The Fountain Room, 2980 Southampton, Rd. Philadelphia, PA 19154.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be

made in Father Neil Breslin's memory to the

Sisters of Saint Joseph of Philadelphia.

https://www.ssjphila.org/home/support-our-mission/donate-page/

May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace.