Michael P. Breston

MICHAEL PEMOW BRESTON (MOSSIA BEREZNIAK) SHOAH SURVIVOR 1931 - 2020 Michael Pemow Breston died on April 10, 2020, after a long battle with dementia and Parkinson's disease. Michael was born in Rafolowka, Poland in 1931. In 1939, when he was eight years old, the Nazi army invaded his town and isolated approximately 2,500 Jews in a ghetto. Michael's father was sent outside the ghetto to work in a German labor camp. Michael survived the liquidation of the ghetto by hiding behind a false wall built by two teenage brothers. Meanwhile, Michael's mother and younger brother, along with his large extended family were marched to the forest with the rest of the Jews in the ghetto and tragically murdered. Michael's father escaped the labor camp and got word that Michael had survived. They reunited and survived the duration of the war by hiding in forests and swamps under the most inhumane and primitive conditions. They joined the Russian/Jewish Partisans in the forest and were both actively engaged in fighting back against the Germans by such tactics as blowing up the railroad tracks which delivered supplies to the Nazi's and carried Jews to the concentration camps. In February of 1944, Michael and his father were liberated by Russian troops. Michael's father was taken by the Russian troops to work in the coal mines. Michael was alone at the age of thirteen. He eventually met another survivor, Dr. Alberta Szalita, who helped him leave Poland and join "Le Ouvre de Secure des Enfants" a Jewish organization in Paris that boarded and helped Jewish children survivors. Michael graduated from high school with a French Baccalaureate with honors and attended Medical School at La Sorbonne. In 1951, he decided to leave La Sorbonne and emigrate to the United States after he discovered his father was living in Silver Springs, Maryland. In 1955, Michael graduated from the University of Maryland with an Electrical Engineering degree and in 1960, he received a law degree from George Washington Law School. Michael became Patent Counsel for Schlumberger which brought him to Houston, Texas. Michael met Eva Sara Zabarsky while in New York City on a business trip. She was born in Buenos Aires to Jewish immigrants and came to New York City to attend university. Michael and Eva married in July 1963. They remained in Houston, Texas where they raised their children and he started his private practice specializing in the areas of patents and trademarks, anti-trust law, and patent litigation. Michael instilled in his children the value of education and hard-work. He enjoyed writing commentary for the Jerusalem Post and speaking on behalf of the Holocaust Museum Houston about the dangers of hatred and intolerance and to share his experiences during the Holocaust. Michael also loved the outdoors. He enjoyed spending time at his ranch in Huntsville, Texas and his lake home in Elkins Lake, Huntsville. Michael was preceded in death by son, Mark Alexander (1966-1967). He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Eva Breston; his children: son and daughter-in-law, Daniel and Celia Breston living in London, England; daughter and son-in-law, Alberta and Andrew Totz living in Houston, Texas and their children Rachael, Jake and Ella; son and daughter-in-law, Matthew and Elizabeth Breston living in Austin, Texas and their children, Leo, Eli, Georgia and Lila; son and daughter-inlaw; David and Donné Breston and their children Ava and Ila Breston living in Houston, Texas. The family wishes to thank the entire staff of Autumn Grove Cottage in the Heights and the staff and nurses of A-Med Hospice for the attention and care shown to Michael in the last two years. Additionally, the family is incredibly grateful to Jewish Family Service and in particular to Leah Mueller for her continued love and support. A private celebration of Michael's life with family and friends will take place at a later date. Donations in Michael's memory can be made to Holocaust Museum Houston or to the Jewish Family Service. GOD GRANTED YOU THE WILL TO LIVE SO THAT YOU WOULD CARRY THE JEWISH PEOPLE BEYOND THE DESOLATION OF YOUR GENERATION TOWARD THE REBIRTH OF ZION. FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH - NEVER AGAIN.

Michael P. Breston

February 28, 1931 - April 10, 2020