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Darrin Breen and Kathy Breen, with Nancy Nufer Wed Aug 28, 2019 | 10:30pm
Jim Breen’s wit once ruled the roost at Harry’s and The Sportsman and also made him a sought-after publicist with clients like Ensemble Theatre and Old Spanish Days.
James Howard Breen passed away on Friday, August 2, after dining with friends at Arnoldi’s — one of his favorite eateries. He was laughing minutes before the lights went out. He was 71.
Born in Los Angeles, Jim’s first aspirations were to be a professional cook. He apprenticed with a French chef who displayed an intense artistic temperament (throwing lots of pots and pans around). Jim noticed the bartender seemed to do less work, have more fun, and make the same money. So a new path to success was selected.
Jim lived in Summerland in the late ’60s with his wife, Sue, and attended SBCC. In 1970, they moved to Arcata, with Sue now pregnant with their son Darrin. There, Jim transferred to Humboldt State, where he earned his BA.
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