Long-time Lakeside resident Ronald Dorsey passed away on Saturday, July 19 following a short illness.

Born on November 26, 1929 in Stafford Springs, Connecticut, Dorsey was the son of Wilfred and Mildred Dorsey. He graduated from Palmer High School in 1948 and served in the United States Army from 1948 to 1951. After attending the Stigmatine Fathers Seminary in Waltham, Massachusetts he was ordained as a Stigmatine Father in 1956.

Dorsey settled in the Chapala area in 1969, where he became recognized for his volunteer work and leadership in a variety of local charitable groups.

For 15 years he served without pay as an English teacher and principal at Ajijic’s Escuela de Artesanias, helping broaden opportunities for the native people as the area’s expatriate community expanded. He was also active in San Andres Catholic church, publishing its bulletin and assisting in other aspects of parish life.

In 1974, Dorsey joined forces with Joanne Nielsen and Enrique Duran to found the Niños de Chapala program. He served as the organization’s director for more than 25 years and was instrumental in gaining aid from the Christian Children’s Fund to sustain the program during its early years.

Along with Morley Eager, Mickey Church, Joan Frost and Ann Whiting, he was a founding director of the Mexican National Chili Cookoff, continuing an active role on its organizing committee throughout the event’s 30-year history.

Dorsey is survived by his sister Winifred Hopfe, a brother David Dorsey, and his beloved companion of 39 years Antonio Cardenas Perales. He will be missed by the charity organizations he supported as well as his many lakeside friends. He was remembered at a mass celebrated in his name at San Andres Wednesday, July 23 and during a memorial reception held afterwards in his honor.