Kenneth Harold (Breezy) Bresett passed away on Saturday, February 17, 2024 at Samaritan Medical Center, Watertown, NY.
Ken/Breezy was born on October 26th, 1941, the son of the late Kenneth B. Bresett and Elizabeth C. Feickert Bresett. He graduated in 1959 from IRCSD, the first graduating class of the newly formed Indian River School District. He went on to attend Albany College of Pharmacy, graduating in 1963 with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy.
After graduating Ken began his career as a pharmacist at Kinney Drugs. He was promoted to manager of Kinney Northland Drugs, Gouverneur, NY in 1966. Ken left Kinney Drugs for a few years working for Merck Pharmaceutical Company as a pharmaceutical salesman. He returned to Kinney Drugs in Gouverneur in 1988, retiring in 2010. Ken earned the respect of both colleagues and patients during his time with Kinney Drugs and enjoyed continued relationships with both.
In September 1989, he married Marilyn Strough Borden. She predeceased him in October 2019.
Ken was an active member of the music community. He became a member of the Original Yanks Drum and Bugle Corp in 1957, playing the French Horn. He worked many years as their manager and put many hours into helping to ensure the “Yanks” were successful, entertaining and well respected.
Ken was one of the founding members of the NNYPMJA in the 1970’s, holding various leadership positions and he was instrumental in putting on clinics and worked closely with parade organizers.
In recent years Ken took on the task of learning to play a new instrument, the steel guitar. The love of the steel guitar and the “old” country music led Ken to bring together several local musicians in the tri-county area to play together at the Antwerp American Legion Post 916. The proceeds of these “Old Time Country Dances” have benefitted the Indian River Ambulance Service. It was Ken’s wish that these dances would continue in his absence and had already scheduled a spring and fall season for 2024.
Ken was also active in his community serving on both village and town boards, as well as the Indian River Board of Education. He was currently serving as a town board member. He was an active member of the Jefferson County Republican Party. He was a life member of the Gouverneur Elks Lodge No. 2035, a 41-year member of Sons of the American Legion Post 916 Antwerp, and a member of the Grand Lodge Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York.
While residing the winter months in his Summerfield, Florida home from 2012-2018, Ken sang for the Golden Notes Chorus (directed by his sister Ann) and was a regular attendee at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Fruitland, FL.
Surviving are sister, Claire Marie (Michael) Brownell, step daughter Leslie (John) Baker Jr., stepson Richard Borden, granddaughter Saige Baker, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Gerald Taylor, Mike (Kathy) Strough, John (Julie) Strough, sister-in-law Martha Hartman; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
In addition to his wife and parents, Ken was predeceased by his sister, Ann Bresett Taylor in 2018 and brother-in-law Vince Hartman in 2023.
Funeral services will be 4 pm on Friday, February 23, 2024 at Frederick Bros. Funeral Home, Theresa, NY. Family and friends will gather at the Antwerp American Legion, following the service.
Calling hours will be 2-4 pm prior to the funeral service at the funeral home. Spring burial will be in Hillside Cemetery, Antwerp, NY, next to his wife Marilyn.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Indian River Ambulance service Inc., 6 ½ Sand Street, Philadelphia, NY 13673.
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