Chad M. Breen

Chad M. Breen, 46, of Dubuque, Iowa passed away peacefully at 8:10 p.m. on April 24, 2018 at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics, surrounded by his family and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 30th, 2018 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Key West with Rev. Rodney Allers officiating. Burial will follow in Mount Olivet Cemetery. Friends and family may visit from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 29, 2018 at Leonard Funeral Home and Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road where a wake service will be at 6:00 p.m.

Chad was born on December 12, 1971 in Dubuque, IA, son of Michael Breen and Bonnie (Sabers) Breen. Chad graduated from the University of Northern Iowa. He married Chris (Urbain) Breen on June 9, 2001, together they had three children, Hayley, Nathan and Natalie. Chad founded Breen Financial Services Inc in 2002.  He was a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and a member of the NFLPA.  He built his career connecting with athletes across the U.S

Chad was a positive, strong, courageous man who always put his family first, including the family dog, Blitz. He was an avid sports fan, with a special love for the Chicago Bears and White Sox. Sports was a love he shared with his children, often playing ball, hoops, or watching a game together. But Chad’s favorite was watching and coaching their games. Friends were also very important to him.  His positivity and his infectious smile drew people to him.  His joking manner and ability to bring laughter wherever he went will be fondly remembered.  

Chad was a transplant survivor, receiving a liver on December 18, 1997.  He was grateful to have 20 additional years to build his family, never forgetting the selfless gift of his organ donor family. Chad participated in several Transplant Olympic Games with Team Iowa, gaining meaningful friendships and fun memories. He appreciated the support received from this inspiring transplant community, including the Iowa Donor Network.

Surviving are his wife, Chris; their children, Hayley, Nathan and Natalie Breen; mother, Bonnie (Sabers) Breen; father Michael (Mary) Breen; sister, Jodi Breen King; step sister, Aimee (Troy) Long; father-in-law Mick Urbain; brothers-in-law Rick (Laura) Urbain and Randy (Janet) Urbain; nephews, Alex Breen, Jayden King, Brandon (Katy) Urbain, and Nick and Zach Urbain; niece, Savannah King; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Paul and Alverna (Carroll) Breen; maternal grandparents, Floyd and Cecilia (Ruden) Sabers; mother-in-law, Shirley Urbain; uncles, James Breen, Michael Sabers and Harold Helbing; and cousins, Patrick Breen, Dawn Jellison, and Dale Sabers.

The family would like to thank everyone for their support. Special thanks to the medical team at University of Iowa Hospital, especially Dr. Michael Voigt, Dr. Henning Gerke, Nurses Mary Jeanne (MJ) Perino-Phillips and Gretchen Warkentin, and the many other doctors and nurses that cared so well for Chad over the years.  Also, a special thank you to Dr. Wu, Chad’s transplant doctor.

In lieu of flowers, a Chad M. Breen memorial fund will be established or donations can be made to the Iowa Donor Network.

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