Rego Anthony Bulone

He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, the eighth and youngest child of Italian immigrants. He began to design art at an early age. He and his cousin Buddy would spend hours drawing superheroes from Buddy’s comic books. His talent was confirmed when he won an art contest in his teens that landed him a spot on television.

He served his country at Fort Benning, Georgia, where he became a skilled marksman. He was so good at marksmanship that he was given the honor of training other servicemen in his techniques. A side effect of this service was hearing loss that lasted the rest of his life. His shooting was not the only skill noticed while in the service. He was on a team that sculpted the “Follow Me” statue, nicknamed Iron Mike, which was prominently erected in front of Fort Benning.

After his honorable discharge he moved to live with his brother, Anthony, in Santa Monica, CA, and attended classes at UCLA. During his career as a sculptor he worked for Mattel, McDonnell- Douglas, and the CA Youth Authority, always looking for ways to improve workflow processes. He eventually became his own boss and did contracting design work for many organizations and companies. He designed and sculpted the statue of Saint Cecilia at the Catholic church of that name in Tustin, CA. He made a Big Bird egg beater for Children's Television Workshop, and designed an award for the new ride at Disneyland, Space Mountain, with the iconic mountain in relief. His art is in thousands of homes because he spent many hours designing and sculpting trophy parts and decorations. He enjoyed pointing out whenever his work was in a restaurant that sponsored a little league team or on a TV show or commercial.

He often said his greatest accomplishment was his children. He married Roma, who already had five kids, and he was happy to provide for them as his own. He and Roma, lived in Anaheim where they had two children together. Although the marriage ended in divorce, he took his role as father, and later grandfather, very seriously and held all his children and grandchildren close in his heart.

In many people’s opinion his greatest accomplishment was his work with individuals with emotional problems. This comes from him recognizing his own issues and joining a self-help group. He was a leader in what has become known as Emotions Anonymous. He was a regional representative and helped to facilitate many meetings that helped countless people. As a devout Catholic he also volunteered at Sacred Heart Retreat Center using his design skills on needed repairs. He was also a leader of “New Horizons,” a support group for people who are divorced or separated. He will be remembered by many for his generous spirit.

He is survived by his children Wendy Kieffer, Timothy Bulone (Susan Chaney), Chris Bulone (Beth), and Monica Schwaniger (Robert) as well as 14 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, his six brothers and one sister, his children Thomas Bulone, Vincent Bulone, Teresa Dominic, his ex-wife, Roma Singell, his nephews Donny and Vince Bulone, and his niece Rossann Leverich.

A viewing and rosary will be held at McAulay and Wallace Mortuary in Fullerton at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 23, 2026. A funeral mass will be said at St Philip Benizi Catholic Church in Fullerton at 10 a.m. Friday, April 24, 2026 with interment to follow at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery in Orange.