Sykesville Freedom District Fire Department

In Memoriam: Life Member Anthony Dorsey


By Public Information Officer Bill Rehkopf
September 27, 2017

The members of the Sykesville Freedom District Fire Department are mourning the loss of Life Member Anthony Dorsey, who served 51 years with the department. Anthony was born on May 19, 1953, and educated by the Carroll County School system, graduating from South Carroll High School in 1971. He always had a passion for big trucks and big rigs. At the age of 13, he was driving his father's pickup truck hauling dirt and pulling up trees and stumps. Anthony joined the Sykesville Volunteer Fire Department in 1969 and along with several other of his buddies they became the first group of African-Americans to serve as firefighters, not just in Sykesville, but in all of Carroll County. He became one of the most dependable fire apparatus operators in the department. In 1976, Anthony's dream of becoming a career firefighter came true when he was hired by the National Bureau of Standards, Gaithersburg and served there until 1979. He then transferred to the Fort Meade Fire Department and served proudly from 1979-1996. Anthony also worked part time for the West Friendship Fire Department from August 1979 to November 1995. Anthony loved R & B music and loved sitting on the front porch of his parents home socializing with his many friends and enjoying life. He is survived by his mother, Agnes Dorsey, sister Robbinette Dorsey-Whittaker, 2 nephews, 2 nieces, host of great nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. The members of the Sykesville-Freedom District Fire Department will miss our brother, and send deepest condolences to his family and friends.

Life Member Anthony Dorsey, 1953-2017

Life Member Anthony Dorsey, 1953-2017

Mari Barnes	September 29, 2017 at 2:28 PM

Anthony your empty chair on the pouch reminds me of you when I come by. I can still hear you laughing when you would tell me about the good times, and your good friends at the Station. I will always laugh about the story of you, Libby, a few hills and a bat. Rest easy my friend.

Stan Davis	September 29, 2017 at 5:28 PM

I had the pleasure of meeting Anthony when I joined SFDFD in 1972, as a 16 year old rookie he took the time to educate and mentor me. A great friend and dedicated firefighter, thanks for the guidance. Funny, the only thing I knew he was terrified of was snakes, I’ll forever will have the visual of him putting his gear on and not understanding why his helmet would not fit, he opened the flaps and found the toy snake, he was out the door and down Main Street before the helmet hit the ground. A lot of fun and fond memories, rest in peace my friend.

Michael Bershad	July 30, 2019 at 4:05 AM

Back in 1973, I interviewed Anthony about his Sykesville monster sighting. It made the headlines, and with my girlfriend, I tracked him down to the fire department. As I remember it, he was 19 at the time, and was working as a volunteer fireman. One heck of a nice guy, and I always intended to visit him to see what his reflections were on his sighting. Now it won't happen. The lesson, of course, is to seize the day and not put off those times that you tell yourself, "One day I'll do it". I'm sorry he's gone, but he left a pleasant memory behind for a stranger who didn't really know him.