Edward McCrea Dorcy died April 7, 2013 at age of 95 in Phoenix. Ed was born the 6th of 7 children on August 29, 1917 in Butler, Pennsylvania to Michael Morgan Dorcy and Margaret Della McCrea Dorcy. Ed’s mother died in the influenza epidemic that followed World War I. Ed contracted polio as a child which left him with a weakened left arm and hand. As a therapy Ed took up swimming and the game of golf. Making up for the weakness, Ed developed what many called a near perfect golf swing and a very low handicap in his golf playing days. As a teenager, he left Butler to join his father who was in the jewelry business in Omaha, Nebraska. The year Ed graduated from Creighton Prep (1937) in Omaha, his father re-married and Ed became a big brother to seven more siblings. After high school, Ed attended optometry school in Chicago. During World War II Ed was ineligible for military service; however, he made his contribution to the war effort working for the aircraft defense industry in San Diego, California. Following the war, Ed joined his father in the jewelry business in North Platte, NE for several years. Subsequently, Ed joined the Franciscan Order as a brother becoming a sign language specialist and remaining 25 years until his retirement. As Ed was always very sensitive to cold weather, he chose to stay in the warmer climate of Phoenix for most of the latter years of his long life. Ed was a kind and gentle man, much loved by family and friends alike. He is survived by five brothers, many nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral, 6351 North 27th Avenue, Phoenix, on Monday, April 29th at 10:00 am. Inurnment will take place in Evans City, Pennsylvania at a later date. In lieu of flowers, a donation to St. Vincent de Paul Society-Phoenix, P.O. Box 13600, Phoenix, 85002 or 602-261-6814, is suggested.
Jim Caniglia
Uncle Ed,
We were so blessed to have been part of your life. What a wonderful life you had and a legacy you leave behind.
Your voice will always ring in my ear, your witty stories remain in my memories and your smile warmly in my heart.
You are dearly missed, yet the time we have here ourselves will be brighter knowing you have been in our lives.
I did not have the heart to tell you over the years, but I felt someone had to put this on the table Uncle Ed – we all know you were not able to have dairy products. But you loved your ice cream – I don’t know how to say this Ed, but ice cream IS dairy!! Audra, Kara and Milt know this first hand and were thrilled to have you stay with them the last few weeks of your life and serve your favorite scoops of ice cream every night!
I love you and will think of you often.
Jim
Michael/ Dee Dee Newcaster-Butler, PA
May we express our deepest sympathy to the families of Ed. He will always be remembered by all of us who loved him as our Uncle. He was not only kind, but very religious & his love for God was second to none. We loved seeing him the few times he came back to Butler PA to visit. We can’t thank Jim, Gaylyn, & families who were so good to Ed over the years. He always talked about your kindness. The special care that Audra & her family gave to Ed during his last days will never be forgotten. God bless all of you, during such sad times.We will miss talking to Ed every week & E-mailing him. He lived a long, good life, which was a blessing.