James “Jimmy” Brambilla, 80, passed peacefully June 20, 2025, at home.
Born James Francis Brambilla Jan. 11, 1945, in Jersey City, he grew up in Hoboken where he met the love of his life, his wife of 58 years, Mercedes “Merrie” Brambilla. They married in 1966 after he joined the Navy to proudly serve his country from 1965 to 1969 in the Vietnam War.
After returning home, the couple settled in Fair Haven, where they raised their three children. Jimmy began his 44-year career in 1969 with Jersey City Medical Center, where he became chief stationary engineer. He completed his career at the Hall of Records in Newark. He was most proud of his decades-long teaching career for Local 68 International Union of Operating Engineers and the Monmouth County Vocational School, where he taught Low Pressure Boiler Operation.
Jimmy was a man of many talents. He enjoyed fishing, cooking and spending time with his beloved family, especially his grandchildren. He will be remembered for his generosity and willingness to lend a hand. He always told his family that he could fix anything – except a broken heart.
He is survived by his wife, Mercede; his children, Jim (Bridget) Brambilla, Lori (Dino) Carluccio, and Kerri (Pietro) Mezzatesta; a brother, Raymond (Mary Louise) Brambilla; and his five beloved grandchildren, Andy (Katie) Carluccio, John Carluccio, Danny Brambilla, Erin Brambilla and Mia Grace Mezzatesta.
A memorial visitation was held June 25 at the Church of the Nativity, Fair Haven. A Mass of Christian Burial began after the visitation. Interment was private.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Homeside Hospice, 6 Commerce Drive, Suite 206, Cranford, NJ 07016 (homesidehospice.com), specifically for the Butterfly Wishes program, or to the Basic Needs Committee at the Church of the Nativity (nativitychurchnj.org) in memory of James Brambilla.
Thompson Memorial Home of Red Bank has been entrusted with the arrangements.
The article originally appeared in the June 26 – July 2, 2025 print edition of The Two River Times.
