Joseph A. Dariano, age 79, of Tiffin, Ohio, died at 1:50 a.m., Saturday, September 11, 2004, in the Intensive Care Unit of Mercy Hospital of Tiffin. He was born September 12, 1924, in Tiffin, to the late Francisco and Maria (Giaruffa) D’Ariano. On July 5, 1947, in St. Mary Catholic Church, Tiffin, he married Nita McDonald, who survives. Also surviving are two sons, Douglas (Louise) Dariano of Perrysburg, Ohio, David (Jaclyn) Dariano of Graytown, Ohio; a daughter, Deborah (Chuck) Heater of Snohomish, WA; six grandchildren, Michael, Benjamin, and Sarah Dariano, and Emily, Andrew, and Adam Heater; two brothers, Matthew Dariano and Frank (Rita) Dariano, both of Tiffin; four sisters, Carmella (Don) Corthell of Tiffin, Micheline (Raymond) Hoepf of Bowling Green, Ohio, Helen Gaietto of Tiffin, and Rosemary (Robert) Cool of McComb, Ohio. He was preceded in death by three sisters, Joanna Pacifico, Mary Strasser, and Carmella Dariano, and a brother, Anthony Dariano. Upon discharge from the service started working as a carpenter, working all over Ohio with many construction companies, advancing to the position of General Superintendent. He started Dariano Construction Company in 1963 and later worked as a construction consultant for Seneca County. Among his favorite projects were St. Mary's School, and St. Mary and St. Joseph Church renovations. He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Tiffin, the Mohawk Country Club, Knights of Columbus, Amvets Post 48, and the First Marine Division Association. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1942, serving with "K" Company, 1st Marine Division in the Pacific Campaign. He was wounded at both Peleliu and Okinawa, and was discharged from active service in 1945 and the Reserves in 1951. His hobbies included woodworking, golf, fly fishing, and travelling.
Rev. David M. Ross will celebrate the Funeral Mass. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, with military rites by the U.S. Marine Corps. Memorials may be made to the First Marine Division Association Scholarship, 14325 Willard Rd., Suite 107, Chantilly, VA 20151-2110; Calvert High School; St. Mary School Library Fund; or Mercy Hospital Palliative Care Unit.