Philip A. Scriffignano, known to all as Phil, passed away peacefully at home May 16, 2026, surrounded by his loving family after a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 67 years old.
Born Dec. 28, 1958, in Newark, Phil was a son of the late Thomas and Jennie Scriffignano. He lived in Middletown for most of his life before retiring to Wall last year. Phil built a life centered on hard work, family and the quiet joys that made each day meaningful to those who knew him best.
Phil was a diesel mechanic for the Middletown Public Works Department for many years, where his skill, dependability and practical knowledge earned the respect of his coworkers and the appreciation of the community he served. He was the kind of man who could fix almost anything, and he took pride in being handy and resourceful. Whether he was working with engines, repairing cars, or lending a hand to someone in need, Phil approached every task with patience and care.
He could often be found in his garage working on cars, a place where he spent many happy hours restoring old vehicles and bringing them back to life. Over the years, he owned and restored many cars, and his love of automobiles remained with him throughout his life. When he was younger, he enjoyed drag racing, and in more recent years, he found great pleasure in spending the day at Raceway Park with his sons watching drag races. Those outings were among the many simple but treasured moments he shared with his family.
Phil was a member of the Red Bank Elks. He also enjoyed bowling with friends, camping and traveling with his wife, Kathy. Aruba was one of his favorite places to visit, and he especially valued the time spent away with the person he loved. He appreciated life’s simple pleasures and found happiness in good company, familiar routines and time well spent with the people closest to him. His warmth, kindness, and loving nature were evident to all who had the privilege of knowing him.
He is survived by his wife, Kathryn Regn; his sons, Tom and his girlfriend Amanda, and Jon and his girlfriend Caitlin; his stepsons, Erik Regn and Charles Regn; his sisters, Jeanne Carentenuto and Debbie Gilmour; and many extended family members and friends who will miss him dearly. He was also looking forward with great joy to the birth of his first grandchild, Lacey, a blessing that brought him much happiness in his final days.
He will be remembered as a man of character and strength, someone who worked hard, loved deeply, and lived with a steady and generous spirit. His family and friends will forever cherish the memories of his kindness, his humor, and the many ways he made life better for those around him.
Friends and relatives paid their respects May 20 at Scott & Kedz Home for Funerals in Belford. A service will conclude the evening and a private cremation followed.
The article originally appeared in the May 21 – 27, 2026 print edition of The Two River Times.
