Samson ‘Sam’ Breen, civil servant, expires at 65

SAMSON “SAM” BREEN, 65, a lawyer who spent most of his career working for state government, died on January 13.

A native of Mandeville, Breen graduated from Mandeville High School as salutatorian and was selected by his classmates as “Most Likely to Succeed.” An avid sports fan, he followed the career of “Pistol” Pete Maravich and attended Louisiana State University in order to watch him play. He became active in student government and was elected as vice-president of the Student Body. Breen also served as editor of the Daily Reville, the student newspaper and was a member of Omicron Delta Kappa fraternity. He graduated from the LSU School of Law.

Breen worked briefly for Fidelity Bank before returning to his alma mater to accept the position of head of the Government Services Insitute. In 1986 he moved from LSU to become a member of the third Edwin Edwards administration. While associated with the Division of Administration for the Governor’s Office, Breen instituted the Comprehensive Public Training Program (CPTP), which became a nationwide model for the training of government service workers.

He was the first State Training Director and served six governors in that capacity, retiring in 2008. The programs Breen founded made him one of the most respected of state civil servants in the country. He was one of the founding members of the National Consortium of State Training and was honored with the prestigious Charles Dunbar Civil Service Career Service Award.

Breen also served as president of the National Consortium of State Training Directors. He was the first recipient of the highest award given by the National Consortium for lifetime achievement.

Known for his brilliant mind, Breen also possessed an exceptional memory of sports history. He was an inveterate poker player, who loved playing cards with family and friends. He especially enjoyed traveling across the country in his “See the USA in your Chevrolet” automobile. He made burgers with a secret ingredient that he never revealed to anyone. He passed his love of his Jewish religion on to his family members, always reminding everyone of the importance of doing “mitzvahs,” even when he was very sick.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Jan Rhorer Breen, his children Rachel Breen Everaard (Kent) and Leah Breen Houk (Rick), his brothers Gary Breen (Laurie) and Norman Breen and two grandchildren.

A memorial service was held at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government Street in Baton Rouge, on Friday, January 15 at 9:00 a.m. Burial followed immediately in the Jewish Cemetery on North Street.

In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the Chabad Center of Metairie, 4141 West Esplanade Avenue, Metairie, LA 70002, or St. Joseph’s Academy, 3015 Broussard St., Baton Rouge, LA 70808.