Julio Efrain Brito Aguirre, age 70 years, former longtime resident of North Bergen, NJ, died peacefully at the home of his son in Readington Township, NJ on Thursday, January 23, 2020, surrounded by his family and under the caring watch of Hunterdon Hospice.

Born in Cuenca, Ecuador, February 8, 1949, son of the late Victor Miguel Brito and Rosa Aguirre, Julio came to the United States in 1982. He had formerly lived in North Bergen and Clinton, NJ.

A Master Jeweler, Goldsmith, and Watchmaker by trade, for the past ten years he worked alongside his son, Victor, and Victor’s family as they owned and operated Dickens Jewelers & Design Studio, Clinton, NJ.

Julio’s story is one of hard work, perseverance, and faith in humanity. He began his craft at the age of fifteen, having gained an interest as his older brother was a jeweler, and a self-trained one at that. He would eventually find work as an apprentice, learning all aspects of the profession and earning 10 cents an hour. Rosa, seeing her son’s passion grow, gave him money for equipment to set up shop in their hometown. Julio started making handmade jewelry and sold the pieces to large city stores in Cuenca and eventually to Quito, the capital city.

Upon his arrival in the United States, Julio worked for Alpine Creations in NYC, NY for nine years. He soon became a certified diamond setter and expert in handmade jewelry. He would later work for Ultimar Creations, also in NYC, and worked there for six years. In 1997, Julio moved to GDM in New Jersey, making jewelry for Tiffany and Co. setting diamonds.

Always joking and laughing, Julio was extremely kind and helpful which was one of the many reasons customers loved him. He was the type of person who did not know the meaning of the word “no”, especially when it came to his family. Simply put, he was there for them in whatever way they needed him to be.

In addition to his craft, he enjoyed soccer and many happy days were had when the Ecuadorian National Team would win. He also loved music, especially Bolero music, and the sound of Julio Jaramillo could always be heard when Julio was around.

Though his hands have stopped working physically, the love he put forth in all that he did will survive on through his family, friends, and all those who were touched by his love— be it through a kind act, a warm smile, or through one of his pieces of jewelry, each of which helped show a little of God’s beauty and love on Earth.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Carmen Guznay Brito, Leonardo Brito, and Leonidas Brito.

Surviving are his wife, Francisca Isabel Delgado Gonzalez; his children and their spouses, Victor and Emilia Brito, Jazmin and Ray Aleman, and Julio A. Brito; seven grandchildren, Jonathan Brito, Ryan Aleman, Brandon and his wife, Killyan Aleman, Emily Brito and her husband, Eddie McLellan, Kevin Brito, Brent Aleman and his fiancé, Faith Kitchen, and Amy Brito; a great-granddaughter, Natalie Aleman; his siblings, Zoila Campoverde Brito, Jorge Brito, Olga Brito, Mariana Brito, and Gonzalo Brito; the mother of his children, Bertha Alvarez; his four-legged friends, Louie and Max; many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family around the world; and many dear friends.

Julio will lie in repose on Sunday, January 26, 2020 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ.

Life celebration services will take place following the viewing, beginning at 4:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Committal words followed by cremation at the Chapel of Ewing Crematory, Ewing Township, NJ, will be private.

Please visit Julio’s permanent memorial site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a memorial candle, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of his life.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make a contribution to a foundation being set up to honor Julio’s passion for training future jewelers. More information will be posted here when available.

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