August 25, 2026
River Partners joins the Stanislaus County community in remembering longtime farmer Jim Brughelli, whose life and work were deeply rooted in the agricultural landscapes of the San Joaquin Valley. His family has asked that memorial gifts support River Partners and the San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge—a landscape closely connected to River Partners’ longtime work restoring habitat along the San Joaquin River.
A lifelong resident of west Modesto, Jim grew grapes, walnuts, and almonds and spent his career working with local farms and farming families. He was also a talented artist, craftsman, musician, and problem-solver, remembered for generously sharing his skills with family, friends, and neighbors. Jim passed away on August 7, 2026, at age 75.
Read Jim Brughelli’s full obituary
Connection to the San Joaquin River
The San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge protects approximately 7,500 acres near the confluence of the San Joaquin, Tuolumne, and Stanislaus rivers. The refuge provides important wetland, grassland, and riparian habitat for migratory birds and endangered wildlife.
It is also a special place in River Partners’ history. Over nearly two decades, River Partners restored 2,500 acres of habitat, planted 600,000 native trees and shrubs, and restored eight miles of river at the refuge, helping create the largest contiguous block of riparian forest in the San Joaquin Valley.
Jim’s connection to River Partners grew from his regular visits to the Beckwith Wildlife Observation Area, where he became familiar with our work restoring wildlife habitat along the San Joaquin River. He later lauded River Partners’ restoration efforts at our Hatmark project upstream of the refuge, helping strengthen a local conservation effort focused on reconnecting and expanding habitat for threatened and endangered wildlife.
In lieu of flowers, Jim’s family has asked that memorial donations be made in his memory to benefit the refuge and the vital riverways around it.
Make a memorial gift in memory of Jim Brughelli
The family asks donors to include “In Memory of Jim Brughelli” with their donation.
