Chuck Breiner

In Loving Memory

My father was a simple man. A man who taught me that actions speak for one’s character, not words. He was part of a generation often referred to as the “Greatest Generation.” Men who lined up to serve their country because it was the right thing to do, and died by the hundreds of thousands doing it. None of us would be here today without the sacrifice of men like my dad and his Brothers and now these WW II heroes are dying at the rate of 1000 per day. We must never forget their sacrifice and bravery, in the face of evil. The same goes for those fighting for us today. Fortunately, God was watching over Dad and he returned safely to the USA and found true love in my mother Donna 60 years ago and started a family. Despite hard work and long hours, Judy and I had no doubt his sacrifices were to give us a better life.

Charles Breiner was a gentle man in every sense of the word. That is, unless he was waging one of his epic battles to wrestle the check from an unsuspecting waiter's hands before someone else got the tab. He taught us about random acts of kindness, long before the book.

His legacy to me is one of devotion to family, honesty, sacrifice, trust, and modesty. In the mid 80’s dad was diagnosed with ALS, Lou Gehrigs disease. Facing a certain and horrific death just as he entered retirement, the doctor told him to travel and enjoy the limited time he had left. He told my Mother “why would I want to do that and be away from my family.”

God was watching over Dad once again because after years of enduring tests and experimental treatments, all of the other patients in his group had passed away and the doctors treating him admitted a mis-diagnosis. His “new lease on life” was not squandered. He glowed with every minute spent with his family, especially his children and grand-children and again his actions spoke loud and clear.

When Shelley and I established a children’s charity, Mr. Chuck quickly became a fixture. He volunteered everyday for 10 years, passionate in knowing that regardless of the task, it was worth doing because his sacrifice brought joy to sick children.

I have always tried to make my Father proud and let my actions honor his legacy. Recently, when being compared to my Dad (by Aunt Barbara) with the saying, “the apple doesn't fall far from the tree” I received the greatest compliment anyone could have bestowed upon me.

My promise to my Father and the greatest gift I could give him, is to continue his legacy. To be the best Husband, Father, and someday Grand-Father I can be. To keep my eye on the ball on what is important in our brief visit on earth, and to inspire my children to do the same.

Mr. Chuck’s life was blessed with more frequent episodes of cries of laughter and joy, than those of sorrow. He is now in a place where he can enjoy the eternal fruits that a life of goodness provides.

Love,
Mark Breiner

Hero. Family Man. Forever Loved.

Charles Andrew Breiner, 89, a resident of Tampa, and earlier of Hollywood, Florida, died on Monday, July 18, 2011. He was born in Newark, New Jersey on September 22, 1921, son of Edward “Max” and Pauline Breiner. Charles (aka, Chuck or Charlie) was a graduate of Mattawan High School in 1938 and a local business school two years later; he enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1942. He and his two brothers, Henry and Joseph, were stationed in the European theater. Charles served in England, France, Germany and Belgium; he received the American Service medal, Good Conduct Medal, World War II victory medal and EAME Service Medal. After returning to the states in 1946, he remained in the Army Reserves until 1949.

In 1946, Charles moved to Hollywood, Florida and with his brother, Henry, and their father, built a service station, “Breiner Brothers” AMOCO, on North Dixie Hwy that remained in operation for approximately 25 years. Subsequently, he became a property appraiser and worked with long-time friend, Ronald Ames, a mortgage broker in Hollywood.

In 1951, he met and married his wife of almost 60 years, Diana “Donna” Breiner, who liked to say that she captured the town bachelor just before he turned thirty. Chuck was a very family oriented man and soon after marrying, he and Donna had two children, whom they raised with loving care. As a businessman and a father, he leaves a legacy of great integrity, kindness, good humor and devotion. When Chuck “retired” he moved to Tampa in 1988. After retirement, he volunteered for many years for the Kid’s Wish Network, a non-profit organization, established and run by his son and daughter-in-law.

Charles was predeceased by his sister, Florence, and his brother, Henry. He is survived and remembered lovingly by his wife Donna Breiner of Tampa, his brother Joseph, his children, Judy and Mark Breiner, their respective spouses, four grandchildren, and eight nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held in Hollywood, Florida, at Hollywood Memorial Gardens on Thursday, July 21.