With the Bristol Fourth of July Celebration just around the corner, let’s take a brief ride down memory lane with former Bristol resident and award-winning WPRI-TV Channel 12 news photographer Les Breault.
As one astute observer clearly pointed out, “With Les, you get a whole lot more.”

If the name sounds familiar, it should. Les comes from good stock. His father, the late Al Breault, was a great news photographer in his own right, years earlier at the same TV station and was recognized far and wide as one of the best in the field, bar none. But, that’s a story for another time.

Recently, this writer sat in a local coffee shop to reminisce about Les Breault’s career and the enormous amount of success he had (and still has) in his chosen field of work.

Now 73 years of age, and living in Wickford, Les is quick to point out that the town of Bristol has been and always will be closest to his heart.
Following in his parents’ footsteps, since 1961, Les lived at North Farm in Bristol for 17 years, and later lived on Sullivan Lane twice.

Les has tried to get back to Bristol permanently with his better half of the past 8 years, Barbara Russo of Cranston, but the couple hasn’t had much luck. But they haven’t given up hope.

“We’re hoping to get back here to Bristol,” he smiled. “There’s no place like this town.”

Les left behind some of his most cherished friends when he moved out of town, including Peter Sullivan, Richard Husband, Bobby Partington, and Russ O’Brien, to name a few. Then in 1971, he met Barry Schrutt, former owner of Photo World in Newport and downtown Bristol. Together, a whole new world of possibilities opened up.
“It was the beginning a great friendship and a wonderful time in my life,” he said. “We’ve been the best of friends ever since.”

Pete Sullivan remembers those days very clearly.
“Les’ family rented the blue Victorian house on the hill from my father during the early sixties, ($80/mo.),” he said. “They were wonderful people: Al, Theresa, Janice, Linda, Les, Debra and Pamela. My mother invited them all over for hot dogs and beans the first night they moved in. Les and I hung out often during those days doing what kids did back then; always outside throwing the baseball or shooting hoops at a rim nailed to a tree. We owned hunting dogs at that time and had many adventures shooting BB and pellet guns on the property that is now Ferncliff Farm.”

Looking back on Les Breault’s hallmark career is something to shout about.

A news photographer at Channel 12 in East Providence from 1977 to 2019, Les served as the station’s chief photographer from 1985-2020. During that span, he has earned a trunk load of awards, including AP News Photographer of the Year in 1989, the D. Tennant Bryan Award for Outstanding Photo Journalism in 2014, a New England Emmy Award for Outstanding News Specialty Report in 2007, and 14 Emmy nominations in total. He was also inducted into the 17th National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and won a Silver Circle Award in 2009.

Amazingly, Les has covered some of the most important news events in this country’ history, including all Presidential visits to Rhode Island from 1978-2019, the 1989 World Series earthquake in San Francisco, and four Super Bowls. He also covered the drama and chaos surrounding the 9/11 events in New York City as well as the 1st, 5th, and 10th anniversary of 9/11 in New York City. He also ventured to the Republican National Convention in New Orleans in 1988, and Providence College’s appearance in the NCAA Final Four the year before.
A 1971 graduate of Bristol High School, Les attended the Rhode Island School of Design, and received a certificate in Digital Photography in 2008.

WPRI Channel 12 and Fox Providence news anchor Patrick Little had this to say about his old friend:
“Les was the first photographer I worked with when I was hired at WPRI in June of 1998. He was incredibly patient with me, the new 27 year old sports reporter. In the many years I worked with him after that, I’ve never seen a more level-headed photographer in such a high pressure, stressful job. He was always so calm, never once did I ever hear him raise his voice or panic when on the scene or facing a deadline to get a story on the air. He never said too much but was a quiet leader that led by example. When I say ‘they don’t make them like Les anymore,’ I truly mean that. Although we had different types of jobs at the station, I learned a lot from him about how to treat other people and keep a level head in an environment that is more times than not very intense and stressful.”

Getting back to Bristol’s most famous parade on the Fourth of July, Les Breault knows all of the tricks of the trade.
“I videoed the start of the parade at Chestnut Street for years, and that was such a great experience,” he offered. “I still want to get back here at some point.”

Longtime friend Barry Schrutt had this to say about his former photo store colleague: “Les worked for me and was a terrific employee. He loved being around the camera business. When the opportunity to go to Channel 12 came up, I was happy for him. I always considered him a good friend. We’re still close friends today.”

In the end, Les Breault has every intention of getting back here to his old hometown. He has meant a lot to Bristol, and Bristol has meant a lot to him.