Joseph "Joe" Breda , VRHS Class of 1967
Joseph "Joe" C. Breda passed away on February 8, 2022, in his Leesburg, Virginia home following a heroic fight with pancreatic cancer. He was born February 12, 1949, in Abbateggio, Italy to Francesco and Filomena Breda. He grew up in Rensselaer, New York where he met his childhood sweetheart, Royan Breda. Joe and Royan married in 1968. A graduate of Clarkson University, he was an accomplished engineer serving most recently as Chief Scientist at Leidos. He is survived by Royan, his sons Joseph (Suzanne) Breda and Michael (Kristie) Breda, grandchildren Olivia and Chase, and siblings Anna, Quintino, Lina, and John. He was predeceased by his beloved daughter Lisa (Breda) Cappelli. Joe was a deep thinker who also derived great enjoyment working with his hands. He was a self-taught carpenter, electrician, plumber, landscaper, mechanic, and gardener who was always in the middle of a home improvement project. He enjoyed traveling, food, wine, and the company of close friends. Above all, he cherished time spent with his family. Observing the increasingly polarized world we live in, he offered this simple advice: "Always choose civility." A celebration of Joe's life will be scheduled at a future date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider a donation to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network or Hospice.