John Michael "Mickey" Breaux

1946 ∼ 2021

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John Michael "Mickey" Breaux was born in Port Arthur, TX 75 years ago and although fully vaccinated, he contracted Covid and tragically passed away less than a week later at the hospital on August 20, 2021. He leaves so many behind to mourn his untimely passing. His loving wife of 48 years Becky "The Saint" Fontenot Breaux, his children James "Chan" Breaux and his daughter Misty Breaux, sister-in-laws Myrna Breaux, Peggy Fontenot Cameron Mundschau & husband Steve, Sheila Fontenot Dickey & husband Jim, brother-in-laws Tom Fontenot, Roger Fontenot & wife Judy and Mike Auffurth & wife Paula, and nieces and nephews: Beth Thompson, Dan Breaux, Gary Breaux, Jody Nunez, Chris Cameron, Chad Cameron, Andrea Fontenot, Rachel Gamsby, Jarod Yeary, Brianne Gravett, Erin Leznicki and their spouses and children in TX, LA, CA and FL.

Preceded in death by his father and mother Oresse & Levie Dartes Breaux, his sister Helen Breaux Locke & husband Jack & son Leland, his sister Dolly Breaux Nunez & her son David Nunez and his brother Danny Breaux, and his in-laws McClure Fontenot, Eva Gaspard Fontenot Auffurth & Bud Auffurth, and brother-in-law Jerry Cameron.

He graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in Port Arthur, TX in 1964 and spent some time at Lamar University before the Army called him up and he served his two years in Texas and Louisiana. Mickey then went to work in the FINA refinery where he also began his service in the union with the: AFL/CIO, OCAW, PACE and the United Steelworkers. After he retired from FINA in 1991, he went to work full time for the United Steelworkers first as a Union Representative, then became the District 13 Director & Vice President on the USW Board of Directors until his retirement in 2014. He then joined the Museum of the Gulf Coast in Port Arthur where he served as a volunteer & docent. He attended St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, volunteered for the United Way and was a proud, active and loyal member of the Democratic Party. He was a long standing member of the Golden Triangle Federal Credit Union for many decades as well as served on their Board of Directors in various positions and was their current President until his sudden passing. He deeply loved and was passionate about his family, friends, his home, unions, music, his hometown and he always fought the good fight standing up for what was right and just. His love, charm, sense of humor, support and big personality are now and will forever be greatly missed.

Funeral Services will be held on Friday, July 22nd, 2022 concurrently with his son, James "Chan" Chandler Breaux at Levingston Funeral Home in Port Neches with visitation at 1pm and service at 2pm and a fellowship & meal to follow at the USW Union Hall at 1609 Port Neches Avenue. Contributions can be made to "Beaumont Pets Alive" for Chan and for Mickey the "Gulf Coast Museum of Port Arthur".

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Levingston Funeral Home November 2, 2021

8 files added to the album Obituary Wall

Anonymous September 4, 2021

Mickey and I came on the OCAW staff about the same time and worked closely together during the five-year lockout In Pasadena, TX and then on a few other fights. It was always a privilege to have him as a union brother and friend. He told it like he saw it and did not beat around the bush. He was not always popular but got the job done. He was as far from being a union bureaucrat as one could ever imagine. He never lost sight of being a worker and rank-and-file union member. I spoke to him several months ago on the phone, and he was the same Mickey that I recall 26 years ago. A hard loss but lots of good memories and laughs. My deepest sympathy to his family and closest friends.

Anonymous September 2, 2021

Rest in Power, Brother Mickey Breaux. We who knew you will remember you as a strong-voiced union leader, a gritty character with old school integrity. Mickey was unflinching on the side of workers for job safety & workplace justice. He was ready to rumble when it mattered against the bean counters of the East Texas refineries, chemical plants & factories. Like Mickey, I came to the USW as part of a union merger decades prior to his own PACE union merger. We first met at his 'Capitol Hill' branch office in Washington DC with an amazing view on the top floor of an historic hotel. Mickey affectionately called the wood paneled, noisy place: "The Rapid Response Center" for rank & file union lobbyists. It's where he counseled many a next-gen activist on how to strategically make your voice heard in the U.S. Congress for what mattered to working families like his own. Union members and their families were well-served by the leadership of Mickey Breaux, Director of USW District 13 in Beaumont, TX. In solidarity, Gary Hubbard/USW-ret. Burbank, CA

Anonymous August 30, 2021

Mikey, was such a great man. He will truly be missed. I will never forget what Mickey has done for me. I still remember our talk before I was hired on. He yelled skeletor (yes that was his nickname for me lol) from his office and I went in, he asked me to sit down. He asked me if I like my job and what I was doing here, I said yes of course , and that I was sad it was only a temp job. Mickey then told me "Everyone needs someone to believe in them, and all you need is for one person to give you one chance, and I'm going to give you that chance. I believe in you and I know you can do this job" I will never forget that. Every chance I got to tell him Thank you I did., even after he retired. That just shows how Mickey cared for other people and had a good heart. I will always and forever love Mickey and hold on to my memories of him.

Anonymous August 30, 2021

John Michael "Mickey" Breaux

Anonymous August 30, 2021

Mickey was larger than life and never hesitated to speak up about what was on his mind. You could always depend on him to share the unvarnished truth (from his perspective). We shared a place at the board table of Golden Triangle Federal Credit Union for many years. Without fail, in nearly every meeting, he would look across the table at me and make a wise crack or some funny comment. Lots of fun memories come to mind about pre-Covid trips with board members and he and Becky to attend credit union conferences. He always accused me of being able to scout out and find a great place to eat. :) I still can't believe he's gone and will nearly expect him to come bounding in to the next board meeting, his usual exuberant self. Thanks, Mickey, for sharing yourself and for teaching us all to love life and embrace it wholeheartedly. We will miss you so much.

Anonymous August 28, 2021

Becky & Family, My heart hurts for you at the passing of Mickey. So enjoyed our visits over the years at conventions, union meetings. He always made me laugh with his wit/humor. He definitely cared about the importance of fairness in the workplace and beyond. Will so miss his post on FB. May God bless you during this very sad time and May all the wonderful memories of Mickey live forever in your heart. With caring thoughts, Mary

Anonymous August 28, 2021

R.I.P. Old Buddy. We had a great run. From high school, thru Fina, all the way up to last month at the Luncheon. Will miss our talks.

Anonymous August 27, 2021

John Michael "Mickey" Breaux

Anonymous August 27, 2021

Becky, you and Misty are in my thoughts and prayers. I pray that God brings you strength and comfort during this difficult time. Mickey will certainly be missed. He always remembered to call me on my Birthday, Work Anniversary, Secretaries Day and sometimes just to say hello. He always brought special Christmas Decorations at Christmas early so I could use them that year. Mickey was one of a kind. I will miss his kind gestures, smiling face and his impersonation of an ape which I always loved since I have always loved monkeys. May Mickey Rest In Peace. Just know he will never be forgotten.

Anonymous August 27, 2021

Mickey was great at telling stories, knowing the history of the Union and loved music. The first picture above is Mickey, General Wesley Clark, USW District 9 Director Dan Flippo, his Assistant James Carvin and Staff Rep. Don Davies. I took the picture, we were all delegates at the 2012 Democratic National Convention. Second picture is Mickey, USW President Leo Gerard, Sub Director Ben Lilienfeld and myself at our big Labor rally in Little Rock Arkansas. We joked each other that this picture weighed 15 lbs. by itself. You are missed my friend.

Anonymous August 27, 2021

Mickey was a great friend, mentor, colleague, boss and always looked out for me. I am very saddened that only a couple of weeks we were cutting up laughing telling war stories and today this. I loved and will miss our lunches, visits and phone calls. Rest In Peace Mickey we know you had to get to heaven before us so you could be our tour guide when we join you. And yes "I hate stupid people ."

Anonymous August 27, 2021

Mickey was an outstanding person. He was a Union man to his core and a strong believer in helping others. Mickey was generous, funny and cared deeply for his brothers and sisters in the Union and their families. I believe Mickey is how passing out Union cards and getting Heaven organized for the rest of us. Mickey will be missed by many. May God Bless Mickey's family and may his memory be a blessing to all had the good opportunity to know Mickey. Bruce Fickman

Anonymous August 27, 2021

I remember Mickey calling me one day and asking me to set up Rapid Response training with my locals in West Texas. He told me he wanted to go to Dumas and would be there in the morning to pick me up. I said ok and waited for a call back. He called me back about 30 minutes later....as I expected, he wanted to know where the hell was Dumas and how to get there. I asked if he had a map and he said he did. I told him to find Dallas on the map and then go north a ways and then West. He said oh shit I have to get approval to fly, I didn't know it was way the hell out there. We bonded on our trips to West Texas and New Mexico over a couple of weeks. We broke bread at my house with my family, he called my daughter Hoche Mama. Even though we didn't always see eye to eye and had our differences I believe there was always a mutual respect between us. I wish you peace in Heaven Mickey and I pray for healing and tranquility for Becky and Misty....you will be missed.

Anonymous August 27, 2021

Becky, Chan, and Misty. Our hearts are broken for you. We loved that crazy Cajun! Remembering all the good times. So thankful for being able to visit with him recently. Sending our love and deepest sympathy. He will always be my "George" Love, Tim and Jan Collins

Anonymous August 27, 2021

I was blessed to have the pleasure to have known Mickey through the United Steelworkers. He was definitely a unique individual with a quick wit and sharp tongue. Ha! While his sense of humor was sometimes...umm, questionable?...I know Mickey had a good heart and never intended to offend anyone. He will be missed by many, myself included.

Anonymous August 27, 2021

Becky, Chan and Misty my heart aches for you. Mickey was a very dear friend to me and of my husband, Mike. So many laughs and good conversations with him through many years. I will miss him forever, as I know you certainly will. Gods blessings to you and for the rest of the family . Prayers for you all 🙏🙏🙏🙏

event Memorial Service

location_on Levingston Funeral Home - Port Neches, 2001 Nall Street, Port Neches, 77651

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schedule Thursday, July 22, 2021 at 2:00 PM

John Michael "Mickey" Breaux

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event Memorial Service