Stephen John Brignoli

Stephen John Brignoli, 77, of St. Augustine, Florida, passed away peacefully on July 30, 2026, at Baptist Medical Center in Clay County after a long struggle with dementia. Born in Jersey City, New Jersey, Stephen grew up in Sayreville, where he graduated from Sayreville War Memorial High School. Shortly after graduation, he was drafted into the United States Army and proudly served his country during the Vietnam War. He served four years before receiving an honorable discharge, carrying with him a lifelong sense of duty, resilience, and patriotism. After returning home from the Army, Stephen married his high school sweetheart, Anne Ziobro. Together they built a life in Sayreville, New Jersey, where they raised their two children. Stephen worked tirelessly to provide for his family, believing that hard work was among life’s greatest responsibilities. Stephen began a long career with the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, starting as a toll collector after serving in the army, and retiring as a supervisor in January 2006 after decades of dedicated services. Following retirement, he married Mary Litterio of Bloomfield, NJ and lovingly welcomed her daughters, Nicole and Diane, into his family. After retirement, he moved to Whiting, NJ and continued working part-time with Enterprise Rent-A-Car, transporting rental vehicles and automotive parts between locations. In 2024, Stephen moved to St. Augustine, Florida, to be closer to his daughter, who cared for him throughout his battle with dementia. In his younger years, he enjoyed fishing, camping, playing cards, and traveling, especially to the Caribbean and the Gulf Coast—places that brought him peace and happiness. Stephen loved cooking, classic movies, 50’s music, and taking on carpentry projects around the house. Like many of his generation, he rarely was seen without a cold beer or his ever-present pack of cigarettes by his side, small rituals that became part of the familiar picture of “Steve” to those who loved him. Above all, Stephen was a good man with a kind heart and a wonderfully quirky spirit. He was best known for his corny “Dad jokes, and his quirky sense of humor. His seemingly endless anecdotal stories or requests to “Pull my finger” somehow always found their way into every conversation. Family and friends could count on him to recite detailed driving directions from memory or explain a favorite recipe in explicit detail without ever needing to look at a cookbook. His stories often took the long scenic route, but they were always told with warmth, humor, and a genuine desire to connect. And they will be missed terribly. Stephen is survived by his daughter, Tina Brignoli; his grandson, Jake Michalowski and his wife, Tiffany; his sister, Ellen Shumway and her fiancé, Jim Jolly; his ex wife Mary Brignoli, his stepdaughters, Nicole Litterio and Diane Litterio; his nephews, Jeffrey and Scott Shumway and his wife Sara; his niece, Lori Rodriguez and her husband Richard; several great-nieces and great-nephews; and many dear friends and extended family members. He was preceded in death by his beloved son, Joseph Brignoli; and his parents, Victor and Norma Brignoli. He will be remembered for his strong work ethic, his silly and playful spirit, and his generous heart. He will be deeply and forever missed, but his love, laughter, and larger-than-life personality will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

Stephen John Brignoli

October 9, 1948 - July 30, 2026