Mr. Charles A. Dorsey

Charles Augustus Dorsey December 2, 1934 – December 22, 2017 Charles Augustus Dorsey, a.k.a. Charlie Gus peacefully passed away at Bedford Courts Healthcare Center the morning of Friday, December 22nd, after a year’s battle with cancer. Charles was born in Mt. Airy, MD. He was the 5th child born to Jeanette Parker Dorsey and Carlton V. Dorsey. Charles attended Cooksville High School in Cooksville, MD. Upon completing high school, Charles was a member of the singing group “The Tall Cedars” for 4-5 years. While this did not become a career, it certainly explained his lifelong love for music and dancing! He loved to dance and was fancy with his feet! Charles’s first employment was with the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC). After WSSC he worked briefly for Thomas Yoder Construction. His long term career actually started with George Hyman Construction Company, who he remained employed with for 25 years. Not only was he one of their most highly trained and expert Forman, but he was an exemplary employee, and received an award of honor for never missing a day in 25 years. In addition to this full-time career, he was also an entrepreneur and a stellar businessman. He took great pride and professionalism in operating Charles A. Dorsey Landscaping Company and Charles A. Dorsey Janitorial & Cleaning Services. Due to a bout of illness, Charles retired from his career at George Hyman Construction Company in the early 90’s, and fully dedicated time to his 2 businesses. In 2001, due to severe artery blockage, Charles had major brain surgery and was no longer able to solely operate his businesses. As hard as this was for him, it gave him great joy to pass his businesses down to his 3 sons, Anthony, Bo, and Ritchie. In 1957, at Bub Duvall’s Soul Dancing, Charles met the love of his life, (then) Sara Kelly. They married on September 19, 1960. From this union, 13 children were born. Charles was a loving and devoted husband and an amazing father! Charles found immense joy in doing many things. Among some of his favorite things were spending time with his grandchildren, who he wholeheartedly adored; working in his yard, which was always a masterpiece work; building just about anything he could imagine, including the family home; playing oldies but goodies in his basement, for hours upon hours; entertaining guest at Charlie Gus’s basement bar; and decorating for every holiday, with Christmas being his favorite. While Charles never publicly exuded his love for Christ, he was a man of quiet strength when it came to knowing and loving God. He would humbly show his faith! He was preceded in death by his parents, Carlton V. Dorsey and Jeanette Parker Dorsey; his brothers, Leon Dorsey and Filmore Dorsey; his sisters, Elizabeth Coursey, Alice Thomas; and his daughters Mary Loretta Dorsey and Denise Semila Dorsey. Charles is survived by his beautiful and loving wife of 57 years, Sara Dorsey; brothers, Vernon Dorsey, Frank Dorsey (Kate); sister, Mary Graham; his 11 children, Anthony Dorsey (Carol), Charles E. Dorsey (Barbara), Jeanette D. Love (Jon), Shirley D. Gordon (Tony), Linda D. Hunter (Rodney), Richard Dorsey, Jennifer Dorsey, Charlene D. Savage (Kyle), Benjamin Dorsey (Alicia), Hope D. Fields (James), Curtis Dorsey; 19 grandchildren, Anthony Jr., Ashley (Brandon), Kia, Ryan, April, Brittany, Jonee, Chris, Shae, Buffee, Mariya, Isaiah, Aalayah, Kyle Jr., Tyler, Marlee, Knico, Shelbee, Sohpee, Zigee, McKenzee; 5 great grandchildren, Akhaila, Briyah, Alia, Anton, Aiden; many loving nieces, nephews and cousins; and an abundance of cherished close friends. Charles was loved by many and admired by even more. His passion for life and people will never be forgotten. He had a beautiful gift of lifting spirits and bringing laughter to anyone who graced his presence! Our loss is absolutely heaven’s gain! We will miss him beyond measure, but our hearts will smile and be strengthened by so many unforgettable memories!

Mr. Charles A. Dorsey

December 2, 1934 - December 22, 2017