John J Dorsey

John J. Dorsey, Sr., Esquire, a noted teacher and college professor passed away after a long illness, Thursday, May 17th 2012 in the Rose Monahan Hospice Center with family gathered at his side. A lifelong resident of Worcester, John was born October 6, 1945 to the late James and Kathleen (Garvey) Dorsey. He graduated from Worcester public elementary and middle school and in 1964 He attended Saint John's High School, class of 1964, which was one of the first classes to graduate from the new St John's High School, Shrewsbury campus. He was also a member of the Saint John's 1963 State Championship Basketball team. John then went on to earn his degree with honors in History at the College of the Holy Cross, where he was also a member of the Purple Key Honor Society. He furthered his education earning two masters degrees; a Master's in History from Assumption College, and a Master's in Education from Worcester State College. He also earned his Juris Doctorate from New England School of Law in Boston. Mr. Dorsey's professional career included more 40 years as an educator. He taught at Marian High School briefly and North High School until 1978. He then became a full Professor of Legal Studies at Becker College, where he has served as a member of the faculty until his death. During his tenure at Becker, he served as President to the Becker College Faculty Senate and Becker College faculty representative to the National Collegiate Athletic Association. John was also adjunct faculty at Assumption College in Worcester and Anna Maria College, Paxton. Throughout his teaching career John received numerous achievement and outstanding teacher awards from the various schools including Becker. He was also known on campus for his popularity among students and faculty alike. Mr. Dorsey also practiced law in Worcester after being admitted to the Massachusetts Bar in 1979. 1979. He worked as an attorney at law in private practice with John W. Connors. His practice also included serving in-house as the General Counsel at Saint Vincent Hospital from 1984-1988. In 1986, he was admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States in Washington. In addition to his established professional career Mr. Dorsey dedicated his service to volunteering for a number of charitable organizations including, the Boy Scouts of America, Mohegan Council, and Big Brother /Big Sister. He also served, as a volunteer reader for the Massachusetts Association of the Blind's Audio Journal and as a member of the Board of Directors for the Worcester Area Association for Retarded Citizens. John was also an avid athlete and athletic official. His prowess for place kicking was known throughout the Central Massachusetts region playing for a number of adult football leagues and being invited to try out as a walk on to the New England Patriots. He also served as both a football and basketball official. He officiated both Pop Warner' and high school football games. He was an officiating icon for 25 straight years as a at the annual Leicester High / David Prouty traditional Thanksgiving Day game. He officiated the last several of these 25 years despite suffering from an amputated foot. He also received the outstanding award for 25 years officiating this game. John regularly officiated high school basketball games as well, His basketball career also included officiating an annual Jewish Community Center tournament on the famed parquet floor of the Boston Garden. Mr. Dorsey was a member of the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials-Board 26 since 1968, serving at various times as the organization's president , vice-president,( 1985-1986, 1984-1985) and as a member of the Ethics and by-laws Committee's,( 1993 -1995) He was also a member of the Central Mass Conference of Football Officials from 1967-2004, serving as president in 1982 and Vice-president in 1981 and member of the Ethic's and By-law committees. John will be remembered by his quick wit and constant sense of humor, which were appreciated throughout his life by all who knew him. John is survived by his four children, John J. Dorsey Jr. and his wife Angelique of Wyncote, PA; Jennifer Dorsey of Portland, ME; James Dorsey and his wife Heidi of Auburn, and Erin Elizabeth Dorsey of Boston; five grandchildren John (III) "Jack" , Reid, Graham Dorsey of Wyncote, PA, Haydon and Declan Dorsey of Auburn; his former wife, Miriam (Harrahy) Dorsey of Worcester, his brother James A. Dorsey, and his wife Dolores of Westboro, his sister Lenore Monahan and her husband Charles of Worcester and Kathleen Kersus and her husband Gerry of New Jersey. He is also survived by his loving companion of the past seven years, Linda Halsdorff, with whom he lived. Friends and relatives are invited to visit with John's family from 3 pm to 7 pm Sunday, May 20th in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St. His celebration of life will be held Monday, May 21st from the funeral home with a Mass at 10:00 am in St Stephen's Church, 357 Grafton Street. Burial will follow in Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are welcome toward the new John J. Dorsey, Sr. Memorial Scholarship at Saint John's High School, care of Saint John's Alumni Relations office, West Main St Shrewsbury 01545.