Joseph John Dlubac

Joseph John Dlubac (Joe) passed into his eternal rest on June 12, 2026 after a short illness, surrounded by his loving family at the age of 86.

Joe Dlubac was born on January 22,1940, in Stafford, Connecticut to Mary (Dunay) and Joseph Andrew Dlubac. Joe was the first of many Dunay grandchildren and was born on his grandma Elizabeth Dunay's birthday.

Joe was a well-loved, intelligent man who would strike up a conversation with friends and strangers alike. He loved his wife Barbara of 22 years dearly. In January they celebrated a wonderful Anniversary in Orlando. With his passing, life as we know it will never be the same

Joe was devoted to his family and proudly hosted large family reunions at his home. Joe enjoyed family trips to the beach, and cruising in his Model A with Barbara and their golden retriever. He loved cheering on his children and grandchildren's activities. He was an antique Ford enthusiast and member of the Crankin' A's of Daytona, a Model A Restorers Club. Joe enjoyed racing his 30' sailboat, Blueberry out of the New London, Connecticut harbor and sailing with his brother Bill on the Florida coast. Joe is also known for sharing his lifelong enthusiasm for University of Connecticut (UCONN) sports with family and friends. Sharing his love of mathematics and physics, he taught his grandchildren advanced math and studied quantum theory. Joe graduated from UCONN in 1963 with a Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering. He had a distinguished 45-year career beginning in 1961 as a co-op student at the U.S. Navy Underwater Sound Laboratory in New London, Connecticut and retiring from the Naval Undersea Warfare Center in Newport, Rhode Island as a Senior Systems Engineer. Joe pioneered advanced sonar systems for today's US Navy submarines. He held the distinguished position of Science Advisor for the Navy Admiral, the Commander of the Submarine Fleet in the Pacific Ocean (COMSUBPAC).

Joe is survived by his loving wife Barbara King Dlubac; sons James Joseph Dlubac and John Warren Dlubac; daughter Kristin (DeLaura) Burrows; daughter-in-law, Stephanie (Sexton) Dlubac; son-in-law Tom Burrows; Barbara's son John Ciesluk; daughter-in-law Sara (Kearney) Ciesluk; daughter Julie Ciesluk; 7 grandchildren, Camden and Claire Dlubac, Calvin and Carter Dlubac, and Michael, Hannah, and Ava Burrows. Joe is also survived by his sister, Teresa (Dlubac) Dowd and husband Jack; Carol (Dlubac) Doherty and husband Dennis; William (Bill) Dlubac; James (Jim) Dlubac and wife Donna; and Elizabeth (Betty Dlubac) Covington and husband Larry. He was predeceased by a brother, Edward, and a sister, Helen Todd.

May you remember Joe at the helm of Blueberry or waving from his 1928 Ford Model A convertible, riding along New Smyrna Beach or the Connecticut shoreline, accompanied by family, friends, and two happy white golden retrievers sitting in the "rumble seat."

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11am on July 25, 2026 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 998 Father Donlon Drive, New Smyrna Beach, Florida 32168, with a reception to follow. The interment ceremony will be scheduled for later in the Fall of 2026 in Rockville, Connecticut.

In Joe's memory, the family requests supporting The Alzheimer Research Foundation or the Florida manatees through the Save the Manatee Club. Link to his obituary.