toledoblade.com --

BREIER Gerald "Fred" Jr. Gerald "Fred" Breier Jr., age 51, of Toledo, Ohio, died Saturday, August 16, 2008, surrounded by his loving family at Hospice of Northwest Ohio. He was born in Toledo, on July 18, 1957, to Gerald and Mary Breier. He was preceded in death by his father, Gerald F. Breier Sr. and father-in-law, Chuck Schwanbeck. Fred is survived by his devoted wife, Elizabeth "Beth" Breier; daughters, Megan, Katie and Anna; mother, Mary Breier; siblings, Tim (Ruth) Breier, Jim Breier, Dave (Laurie) Breier, Debbie (Denis) Powers; nieces and nephews, Scott (Laurie), Danny (Shelley), Mike (Maya), Andy, Jennifer, Amy (Mark), Jessica, Kelly, Matt aka "Huey", Samantha, Dillon, Wyatt aka "Whitey" and several great nieces and nephews; mother-in-law, Judy (Dick) Jones; brother-in-law, Brad (Shannon) Schwanbeck; sister-in-law, Lynne Breier; four legged companion, Woody; numerous friends and co-workers. Visitation for Fred will be in H. H. Birkenkamp Funeral Home, 3219 Tremainsville Rd. (at Alexis) 419-473-1301 on Tuesday, August 19, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Wednesday from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Visitation on Thursday, August 21, will be at Augsburg Lutheran Church, 1342 W. Sylvania from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 with funeral services to be held at 11:00 a.m. Interment at Toledo Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to Hospice of Northwest Ohio, 30000 E. River Rd., Perrysburg, Ohio 43551 and Augsburg Lutheran Church. We would like to say a special thanks to the staff at Hospice especially Jane and Sharon, the staff of 4SW Oncology at Toledo Hospital and Dr. Kenneth Krupp and his staff for the wonderful care they gave Fred. To our family and friends, words cannot express our thanks for everything you did for us while Freddie was sick and for the love and support you continue to give. We love each and every one of you. Fred, Freddie, Jerry, Dad, Uncle Fred, Uncle B, Uncle French Fry, Coach Fred, Coach B., Mr. B - no matter how you knew him - was a devoted husband, father, brother, son, uncle, partner and friend who packed a lot of living into 51 years. Fred was a patrolman with the Toledo Police Department for 25 years. He enjoyed being a police officer and as a Field Training Officer, was able to share his knowledge, experience and insights with rookie police officers as they "hit the street" upon graduation from the academy. The Ohio State Buckeyes, Chicago White Sox and Chicago Bears were "his teams." Watching the Indy cars race, bowling and golfing with friends and enjoying a cool Miller Lite just about anywhere with friends were some of his favorite things to do. But more than all of that, it was his family and friends that he loved more than anything. Fred and Beth were married for 18 years. He coached his girls' softball and basketball teams and danced in the "Dad's Dances" at Anna's recitals. He didn't miss a Father/Daughter dance, school play, sporting event or award ceremony. If Megan, Katie or Anna were involved, he was there. Spring breaks at Clearwater Beach, summer vacations here and there, trips to Chicago in the summer to watch the White Sox, and in the fall and winter to watch the Bears, and so many other adventures with family and friends were all about spending time together and having fun. Fred said it wasn't the quantity of our time together, rather, the quality of it. Family and friends gathered often; we had fun and did so much together that the special memories of our time with him will carry us though our grief. Although he has journeyed away from us, he'll continue to journey with us - in our hearts.