Joseph Uliano

Dalio Joseph Uliano, 97, passed away on Monday morning, April 21, 2025 peacefully surrounded by his family.

“ I wasn’t born in the South, but I got here as fast as I could”.

D. Joseph Uliano

Mr. Uliano came to Dublin, Ga. In 1953 as a textile chemist and laboratory manager of Textile Aniline later to become Ciba-Geigey and American Color.  It was an industry know fact that he was considered one of the foremost authorities on dyestuffs and color for fibers and wool.

He was a proud first-generation Italian American and sadly he was the last of that immigrating generation, which is now in its 5th generation in America.

He was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts.  His parents were Josephine and Emilio Uliano formerly of Pietrastornina, Italy.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter Jody and his brothers Albert, Donald, Silvio, Emilio and sister Nellie.

He was an outstanding football player and graduated from Lawrence High School in Lawrence, Massachusetts with a scholarship to Auburn University, where he was injured in his first year and sent to Georgia Military College.  From there he served in Special Services of the US Army in Austria and Germany during occupation. While in Austria he played football for the Vienna Mules. He returned to play football at GMC where he was the captain of his team.  There he met his wife Bobbie Lane of Monticello, GA. at GSCW.  He transferred to Florida State University (FSU) and graduated in 1953 with and BA and was later made an Emeritus Alumni of FSU.

He was a faithful member of The Henry Memorial Presbyterian Church, was made Elder Emeritus, serving as a Deacon, Ruling Elder, Clerk of the Session. He taught Sunday School for over 50 years and was considered a student and teacher of the Bible. He was elected Moderator of the Macon-Augusta Presbytery, especially the Savannah Presbytery and served on many Presbytery committees and was a staunch believer in the Book of Order of the Presbyterian Faith (USA). 

He was a great believer in giving of his time to the community and his family and he loved living in the South.

His community service includes:

He was a member of the Rotary Club for over 40 years and is a  Harris Fellow, Hue Thomas Fellow and Will Watt Fellow, Paul Harris Fellow and made an Honorary Rotarian. He was a member of the Dublin Country Club for over 50 years and was on the board of directors.

He was the President of the Kiwanis Club, member of the Dublin Humane Society, Order of the Shillelagh, President of Dublin Little League, President of the Dublin Heart Association. He enjoyed being a member of the Dublin Fine Arts.  He coached little league football and baseball for over 25 years. He was also Chief Registrar of Dublin-Laurens County for 20 years and delivered Meals on Wheels for over 15 years.

He was elected Dublin-Laurens County “Man Of The Year” 1999. 

He was a devoted husband for 71 years, a loving father, grandfather, uncle, cousin and friend.

He loved his friends from golf, bridge, The Romeo Club, church, gardening, politics and life in general. He was an avid traveler who saw all 50 states and many foreign countries including his homeland of Italy.

He is survived by his wife of 71 years Bobbie Uliano, daughter Kay Uliano Ruffin, her husband Dan Ruffin of Bluffton, SC. His Son, Joseph Lane Uliano, daughter in law, Sophie Heyman-Uliano of Los Angeles, Ca.  and precious granddaughter, Lola Lane Uliano a veterinary student at UPENN.   Also, his honorary daughter Candice Spicer Christian and her husband Don Christian as well as Heather Spicer Laws and Lisa and Tim Outlaw.

His extended family his sister-in-law, Dora Uliano, Nieces and Nephews, Jean, Paula, Christine, Donald, Dick, Dennis and Bobby, Emil, Ronnie, Clarissa, Dora, Darlene and Theresa and their families. His extended family includes over 100 relatives from the 1st generation to the 5th.

A very special thanks to Dr. David Kellam for his loving care.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Henry Memorial Presbyterian Church, in Dublin, GA. The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM until the service hour at the church.

*In lieu of flowers please make donations to: The Henry Memorial Presbyterian Church, 511 Bellevue Ave., Dublin, Ga.  31021.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joseph Uliano, please visit our floral store.