Beloved grandfather, outdoor adventurer, Ohio sports fan, chef

After a life filled with a love of family, friends, adventure, and dedication to work, Michael Christopher Dorsey died unexpectedly on January 26.

Born in Middletown, Ohio on July 9, 1971, in 1980 Mike and his parents, Michael and Carole Dorsey, moved to Glendora. He attended St. Dorothy School and graduated from Damien High School.

Due to his interest in art and the college’s sculpture department he attended Santa Barbara City College; he also studied under Claremont sculptor Betty Davenport Ford.

Never one to sit still and always looking for adventure, while in high school he used his proficiency in German to summer in Germany, where he made many lifelong friendships. These culminated with many reciprocal visits to Germany and California.

He loved his hometown of Middletown, and was an enthusiastic fan of the Ohio State Buckeyes, the Cincinnati Reds, and especially the Cincinnati Bengals. During football season Sundays were reserved for cheering on the Bengals with the assistance of his brother and copious amounts of Guinness.

He met Kristen Mertz while working at Claremont Print and Copy. They married in 1996, and welcomed son Gavin and daughter Meghan. Together they enjoyed beach trips, weekend getaways, concerts, family time and, most recently, delighted in their grandchildren, Mac and Sara.

He was naturally athletic and an avid outdoorsman who excelled at swimming and diving, soccer, climbing, hiking, and mountaineering, and enjoyed kayaking and lobster fishing. He was proud of having climbed Mt. Whitney, spent many days and nights hiking, climbing, and camping at Joshua Tree, and was a regular at the peak of Mt. Baldy.

An excellent cook, he loved watching cooking shows and experimenting with food. He became the head chef at family gatherings.

He is survived by his wife Kristen; son Gavin (Ashley); daughter Meghan; grandchildren Mac and Sara; brother Matthew (Nora) and their son Derek and daughter Madison; parents Carole Marshall Dorsey-Quackenbos (Nick) and Michael William Dorsey (Linda); stepbrother Stan Quackenbos; aunt Pam and uncle Larry Faulkner; uncles Marc Marshall and John Marshall (Barbara); aunt Ann Sitter Galich (Richard); and cousins John Sitter, Joan Javalera, and Annie Sitter.

He was predeceased by his maternal grandparents Bernice Marshall and Marcus Marshall; step-grandmother Patricia Marshall; paternal grandparents Frances and Kenneth Dorsey; uncle Scott Marshall; and stepbrother Scott Quackenbos.

“Mike will be missed by the family and friends he loved so dearly,” his family shared.

A celebration of his life will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 13 at Last Name Brewing, 2120 Porterfield Way, Upland 91786.