Patrick (Pat) Dorsey of Loveland, passed away after a battle with cancer on Tuesday, July 6, 2021. He was 83 years young.
Pat was genuinely happy and generous.
He was born in Sterling, CO to James & Lucea Dorsey and was the good-natured little brother of James Dorsey Jr (Jimmy). The Dorsey’s enjoyed hunting ducks, geese, pheasants and rabbits and took pride in being the first pheasant hunters to limit out at the Tamarack State Wildlife Area each year. The Dorsey’s were also proud of their Irish heritage. Pat and Jimmy visited Ireland together.
He married Donna Carwin in Sterling. They were married for 63 years. Together, they worked hard, bought a home, built careers and had a lot of fun. Fun included time at the Carwin farm, where Pat enjoyed spending time with his new family. Whether it was picking up bales, playing pitch, or wearing matching 10-gallon hats, Pat fit in too well with these practical jokers.
Pat and Donna had two daughters and gave them good Irish names: Patricia (Patt) and Kerri. He passed his deep love and respect for wildlife and nature onto both girls. Family weekends were spent outdoors, experiencing Colorado’s wildlife and scenery. He was blessed with a grandson, Caleb and a great granddaughter, Zaylor.
Pat and Donna achieved a lifelong dream when they purchased mountain property west of Fort Collins, ensuring that they always had a camping spot. He loved sharing “the property” with family. Pat’s nieces and nephews were amazed to find “wild watermelons” on the property. Eventually, they learned that Uncle Pat hid the watermelons, even if he had to break the news to them on their 21st birthdays.
He had a strong work ethic. Taking a paper route as a wee lad and getting his first “real job” with Safeway when he was 14 years old. He became an Assistant Store Manager at the Sterling and Greeley stores, before accepting a job with Frito-Lay and moving his family to Loveland. He sold chips in Loveland, Estes Park and the neighboring small towns for many years.
Pat was a member of and a volunteer for Saint John’s Catholic Church in Loveland. He served on the board of the Little Thompson Water District and was a member of the Elks Club and American Legion. He proudly served in the US Army and National Guard.
Pat had a gorgeous perennial garden, a strong sense of adventure and a love for the old West. He enjoyed prospecting for gold with friends. If dogs are man’s best friends, Pat was blessed with many.
He is survived by his wife, Donna of Loveland, two daughters: Patt of Bayfield, and Kerri (Jeff Moore) of Loveland, a grandson Caleb Moore and great granddaughter, Zaylor Moore of Fort Collins. He was preceded in death by his parents Jim and Lucea, his brother Jimmy and his nephew Mike Dorsey.
Thank you to Patrick’s friends, family, and neighbors, the staff at MD Anderson Cancer Center, the incredible ICU nurses at Swedish Medical Center and the compassionate professionals at Compassus Hospice in Denver.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 14, 2021 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. Visitation will take place at the church prior to the service. Cremation will follow services.
"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal.
Love leaves a memory no one can steal."
