R. Michael Dorsey

Robert Michael Dorsey, III, of Parker, Colorado, passed away peacefully at home on January 9, 2019, surrounded by his wife and children. Born on July 23, 1948, in Greeley, Nebraska, Michael was the second child and oldest son of Bob and Ann Dorsey. He lived briefly in Greeley and grew up in York, Nebraska, where he attended Catholic grade school. He graduated from Central Catholic High School in Grand Island in 1966 and attended the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, graduating in 1970 with a bachelor’s degree in music. He went on to earn a masters in business from the University of LaVerne in California in 1982. An accomplished pianist, and with music being central to his educational formation, he received his teaching certificate and became a substitute music teacher for Denver-area schools. Michael was drafted into the Army in 1970 and served in West Germany as a Sergeant in the Howitzer Battery of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. He was a cannon-fire direction specialist along the East German border for two years, received the National Defense Service Medal and Sharpshooter commendation, and was honorably discharged in 1972. He returned to the United States, worked briefly in Denver, Colorado, and then moved to the Los Angeles area in Southern California. In 1976, he joined the band The Diamonds, performing keyboard and vocals. He toured parts of the United States and Ireland with the group until 1981. Michael met the love of his life, Beverly Osmond of Spokane, Washington, while on the road with the band in January of 1977. He proposed to her in Reno, Nevada, and they married on August 25, 1979, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Oxnard, California. They had four children together: Michael, Katie, Ryan, and Blair. In 1985, the family moved to Aurora, Colorado, where they lived for the next 18 years. Michael worked in the furniture business, then started his own business, Michael’s Carpet Cleaning Service, which he ran independently until his retirement in 2018. Besides his family, his true passion was always music. He first served as an accompanist and choir director at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Aurora, then became the Music Director at Ave Maria Catholic Church in Parker. He served as a substitute music teacher at Ave Maria Catholic School. The family moved to The Pinery south of Parker, Colorado, in 2003. Michael enjoyed accompanying theater productions at Rock Canyon High School in Lone Tree, Colorado, for several years and served as a mentor for many of the students in the theater program. In 2011, he was hired as Music Director at Church of the Good Shepherd; he directed the choirs and played piano every week, and worked as a substitute music teacher. Michael adored all of the singers, musicians, and children he worked with throughout his musical career. Dad was a man of many talents and passions. He loved to cook, and Italian food was his favorite - especially spaghetti with homemade red sauce. He spent hours in the kitchen making “Uncle Daddy’s Fried Chicken,” and loved grilling steaks on the patio. He gardened extensively and loved spending time outdoors. In the winter, he enjoyed trips to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park with his family. The National Western Stock Show held a special place in his heart, and he went every year. When it came to sports, he loved the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Colorado Rockies. He became a Rockies fan beginning with their inaugural season in 1993. Dad attended the opening game at Mile High Stadium, and worked countless games through the years selling concessions for Catholic Education Supporters (CES), which put each of his four children through 12+ years of Catholic schools. One of his favorite summer hobbies was watching Rockies games on TV with Bev, and they rarely missed a televised game. He was also an avid reader, finishing one book a week in some cases. His favorite books were presidential biographies, historical nonfiction, and the classic works of Steinbeck, Michener, and Twain. He enjoyed reading political commentaries and stayed up to speed on the news of the day. Dad was an American patriot who was passionate about politics and the country, flew the American flag each day, voted with pride in every election, and even attended Ronald Reagan’s funeral procession in Washington, D.C. with his son Michael in 2004. The moments he treasured most were times spent with family: watching his children grow up, attending Irish family reunions in Ponca, Nebraska, and celebrating important milestones and holidays together. He maintained a close relationship with the Lord throughout his life, and his faith was an integral part of his daily life. His dry wit and goofy sense of humor brought joy to those around him each day. Services will be held on Tuesday, January 22, 2019, at Church of the Good Shepherd in Denver, Colorado. The Visitation will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 am followed immediately by a Rosary from 11:00 to 11:30. Catholic funeral mass will begin at 11:30 am. Michael will be buried with full military honors at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver following funeral services.