Avis J. Dorsey

Avis J. Dorsey, age 69, a longtime resident of Northville, passed away May 15, 2019. He was born on February 6, 1950 in Scrabble Creek, West Virginia; son of Burnard and Melissa (nee Jarret) Dorsey.  He graduated from Wayne High School in Wayne, Michigan; Class of 1967.  Avis was united in marriage to Vickie L. Gorrell on May 20, 1984; they would have celebrated 35 loving years together as husband and wife on the coming Monday.

Avis worked as a firefighter and EMT for the City of Westland, retiring in 2005 after 25 years of service.  He and his wife owned an antique shop called the Shoppe Around in Plymouth for 26 years.  Avis enjoyed playing softball on the Shoppe Arounds, a softball team the antique shop sponsored.  He also enjoyed playing golf, which he did each Tuesday at a different course with a group of friends.  An avid hunter and fisherman, he was a member of Ducks Unlimited and the NRA.  Avis adored his German Wire Hair Pointers which he bred and sold as hunting dogs.  He was a great cook; he made delicious ribs and often cooked while working at the fire station.  He liked old cars and trucks, especially fast ones.  Avis still owned the very first car he ever bought, a 1967 Chevy Nova Super Sport that he used to race for Shell Oil.  He could fix anything and loved to share his vast knowledge with those around him.  He taught many younger firefighters’ techniques that helped save their lives.  The most important thing to Avis was his family and the time they spent together.

Avis is survived by his beloved wife, Vickie Gorrell; his son, Avis “Jesse” (Kayla Yerke) Dorsey; his siblings, Mary (Tom) Fizia, Burnard (Ardith) Dorsey, Ellie See, Wes Dorsey, Sharon (Todd) Richard, and Judy (Brad) Grossman.  He will also be missed by his faithful companion, his dog Zigfried. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Lionel Dorsey.

The visitation will be held Monday, May 20, 2019 from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. with a funeral service at 4:00 p.m. at Michigan Firehouse Museum, 110 W. Cross Street, Ypsilanti. He will be laid to rest at Rural Hill Cemetery in Northville.

In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate memorial contributions to U of M Trauma Burn Center , Attn: Kristy Brown, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Room UH-1C435, Ann Arbor, MI 48109.