Dressed in jerseys and bright-colored clothes, friends, family and community members honored Isaac Breese during a memorial service Wednesday at North Fort Myers High School.
Breese of Cape Coral tragically passed away the week of July 4. He went missing during a swimming accident at Sanibel’s Blind Pass while trying to save his friends. His body was recovered on July 4. He was 17 years old.
Breese was born March 7, 2007, to Tomika and David Breese. He is survived by his parents, his sister Gabriella Breese and his grandfather Wayne Suttles. He was preceded in death by his grandmother Patricia Suttles.
"He's a soul that was taken from the world too soon, but he left a legacy that will live on," his sister said during the service. "He loved music. I can see him through every song he knew, whether it be a country song, a rap song, a folk song or any other genre."
Breese enthusiastically pursued life, whether on the soccer field, in the classroom or listening to music with his sister in the car in a Culver’s parking lot. Friends and family described his encouraging and hardworking personality. They said he was fun to be around and that he deeply loved his family.
He would have entered his senior year at NFMHS this fall. He was an A/B Honor student and achieved a GPA of 4.48. He was on track to receive his Cambridge AICE diploma and was set to attend Florida Gulf Coast University full-time through dual enrollment.
NFMHS rising senior Luke Pluta had two classes with Breese last year and remembers him being easygoing and funny.
"He always kind of goofed around, but he was really smart, so he didn't have to worry about having to focus too much, because he always got his work done,” Pluta said. “Most of the time, he was very chill and always talking to everybody."
Gabriel Hillman taught Breese in the classroom and coached him as a player on NFMHS’s soccer team. Hillman remembers him as being a big friendly giant.
“My first impression was that he was someone the team gravitated towards. The other kids watched him and waited for his behavior, his reaction,” Hillman said. “He was genuinely a sincere young man. There's no simple way to summarize his passion and compassion.”
Breese also played for the Florida West FC 07 ECNL competitive soccer club. His talent and dedication earned him a place on the Florida Olympic Development State soccer team and the South Regional Olympic Development Team. He was a nominee for the 2024 ECNL Player of the Year.
“He was one of nicest, hardest working GKs (goalkeepers) in the DBR Crew. We will miss his presence and leadership," the DBR Goalkeeper Academy shared on social media.
"Isaac Breese will forever remain a part of the Florida West FC family, and his legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew him," the Florida Youth Soccer Association also shared in a statement. "Isaac Breese will always be a part of the FYSA and ODP family, and his legacy will live on in the hearts of everyone who knew him."
Florida West FC shared a statement mourning his loss:
"Beyond his impressive athletic achievements, Isaac was a beloved teammate whose spirit and camaraderie fostered a sense of unity and purpose within our team. His leadership, both on and off the field, was instrumental in guiding his teams to success and inspiring younger players to strive for excellence,” the statement reads.
Harrison Bernover remembers Breese for being a great kid and goalkeeper.
"I enjoyed playing and training with Isaac because he worked so hard and always pushed me to be better every day,” Bernover said.
"Isaac Breese not only brought confidence and self-belief to the team, he brought leadership and inspiration. He always lifted up the team and he wasn't just like that on the field, he was like that off of it," said Jorge Elaraj-Figueroa, one of his teammates.
Donations to the Breese family can be made on GoFundMe, at gofund.me/a0aa475e.
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