Stephen J. Aylward

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Stephen J. Aylward, “Uncle Steve”, who passed away on February 7, 2024, in Brockton. Born in Roxbury, he was the son of the late Joseph and Catherine (Scahill) Aylward, and as a young child moved to Stoughton where he spent most of his childhood. He voluntarily joined the Navy at 17 and was stationed in Vietnam on an aircraft carrier – USS Bon Homme Richard, for 2 years, and spent the next 4 years in San Diego, which is where he called home for most of his adult life. While in California, he met Joanna, the girl he thought he would marry, although, after a great 13 years, they drifted apart. Uncle Stephen always wished for children, but when that never happened, he surrounded himself with nieces and nephews whom he treated like his own.

In his later years, Uncle Stephen suffered a life-altering spinal cord injury, which led him to Bldg. 8 at the Brockton VA, where he had his second family. Doctors, nurses, staff, and of course his friends whom he respected and cherished most of all. Uncle Steve loved casting a fishing line with a cold brew in his hand, making guitars (from scratch) that held the perfect pitch, and gardening, especially his hot peppers, but most importantly, his smile and laughter came from spending time with his family and friends – that was his true joy! He will be greatly missed.

Stephen is also preceded in death by, his stepmom Barbara Aylward and his brothers: Butch, Billy, and Bobby. He is survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins, all of whom made him proud and loved by such a tight-knit Irish Family. 

A Funeral Mass will be held at the Immaculate Conception Church in Stoughton, on Tuesday, February 20th at 10:30 AM, followed by burial with military honors at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Stoughton. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the DAV Disabled American Veterans at https://www.dav.org/