James Francis "Jimmy" Brambilla

James, "Jimmy" Brambilla, 80, passed peacefully on June 20, 2025, at home.

Born James Francis Brambilla on January 11, 1945, in Jersey City, New Jersey. 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 – 1969 in the Vietnam War. After returning home, the couple settled in Fair Haven where they raised their three children. He began his 44-year career in 1969 with the Jersey City Medical Center where he became Chief Stationary Engineer. He completed his career at the Hall of Records in Newark, New Jersey. 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, Mercedes, 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 will be held on Wednesday, June 25th from 10-11 am at the Church of the Nativity, 180 Ridge Rd, Fair Haven, NJ 07704. Mass of Christian Burial will begin after the visitation at 11 am. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Homeside Hospice, 6 Commerce Drive, Suite 206, Cranford, NJ 07016, www.homesidehospice.com specifically written for Butterfly Wishes, or the Basic Needs Committee at the Church of the Nativity, in memory of James Brambilla. Thompson Memorial Home of Red Bank, NJ has been entrusted with the arrangements.