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Daniel Richard Breyer

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Dan Breyer peacefully passed away in his sleep at his home in Sun City Arizona in the morning hours of Sunday January 24th, 2021. Dan was born March 8th, 1955 at Fort Ord, California. He was the son of Richard and Greta Hyypio Breyer. They preceded him in eternal life in 2009 and 2012 respectively. Dan is survived by siblings, Patti (Bill) Patton of Saranac Ml, Tim (Dot) Breyer of Dover DE, Joe (Sally) Breyer of Gilbert AZ, Chris (Gaby) Breyer of Foothill Ranch CA and Jessica (Rqger) Marks of Ada Ml. He also has eight nephews and five niece’s who he enjoyed spending time with.
Dan was proud to have grown up in the Keweenaw Peninsula of Michigan. He went to school in Tapiola and L’Anse, then graduating high school in Stephenson, Michigan. After graduation Dan went to work for the Ford Motor Company working on their Great Lakes iron ore carriers, starting as a deckhand but did the schooling to earn the credentials to be a wheelsman.
Over the next 37 years as a sailor, Dan would spend most of that time sailing the Great Lakes. He was on Lake Superior the night of the terrible November storm which sank the Edmund Fitzgerald. As a wheelsman, Dan had the finesse to steer those large, heavy ships through busy rivers and into locks and docks. He worked on many types of ships including a research vessel, oil tankers and liquid natural gas haulers. He also sailed the salt water oceans seeing much of the world. His hobbies were building jigsaw puzzles and photography.
Dan retired and moved to Sun City late in 2013 where he lived with his beloved cat Pip Squeak. Dan served his neighbors in many capacities. He was the shuttle service to the airport or the supermarket. He became active in his condominium government as treasurer and was recently elevated to president. Dan was well known for his generous spirit and keeping in touch with his friends and family with cards and calls.
Services are being arranged by the family at this time and will be announced on Dan’s Facebook page as they are finalized. Per his wishes, his cremains will be returned to his beloved Upper Peninsula to be with his parents.