Charles W. Dorland

Charles W. Dorland

Age 75

Charles W. "Charley" Dorland—Rochester, NY—Passed away suddenly at home from complications of cancer late on Tuesday, May 17, 2022. He was 75.

Predeceased by his parents, Everett and Jessamine (Merle) Dorland; his long-time partner, William "Bill" Kelsey; and his lovingly rescued canine companions, Pookie and Dexter.

Charley is survived by his siblings: Eugene (Frances) Dorland, Patricia Dorland, Suzanne (James) Harney, and Christopher (Stacy) Dorland. He leaves behind many adoring nieces and nephews and their children.

A 1965 graduate of East High School, Charley studied Liberal Arts at Monroe Community College for two years. From there, he attended SUNY at Buffalo, where he completed his Bachelor of Arts in Romance Languages and Literature (1971). His degree program included an academic year of study abroad in Spain.

After college graduation, Charley joined the Democrat & Chronicle (D&C)—and found his life's work of 40 years. He started as a copy editor and eventually worked on a new D&C feature column, "Help," which became an enormous success for the newspaper. For many years, Charley also had the responsibility to publish the daily local and network TV schedules. Circa 1982, Charley earned a byline in the newspaper for a thoroughly researched and professionally written article about an expensive but extremely popular new technology: the music CD!

To know Charley was to love him. He had the ability to be forthright with his opinions and make razor-sharp observations, all while remaining endearing—at times a sort of "lovable curmudgeon." (Perhaps it was innate, or perhaps he developed these tendencies as a result of being the family's middle child.)

Charley was a fun-loving but sentimental person. He had an infectious laugh and an occasionally sharp tongue but an even sharper wit. He was "a fount of useful knowledge," with excellent memory recall that earned him the epithet "Charley Google" among the younger set in the family.

Charley had a reputation as a thoughtful, considerate, and loyal friend. And a friend he was to many——most especially his friends from the LGBTQ community, neighbors, co-workers, and dog-walking friends.

Charley loved ice cream, kuchen, and cooking. Nearly every year, starting in 2007, Charley baked (and somehow perfected?!) his late mother's German Christmas stollen for all his siblings as well as for one or two special friends. He also enjoyed solving crosswords, watching movies, and sharing meals out with friends and family.

Also in 2007, Charley joined his brother Gene for a 4-hour World Geo-Caching Challenge in Mt Hope Cemetery. In near 90° heat, they ended it appropriately with a mad dash to The Distillery!

Charley will be greatly missed from this world. Friends may call and pay their respects at New Comer Funeral Home (6 Empire Blvd, Rochester) on Thursday, May 26, 5-7 pm. (Please be advised that COVID safety measures will be in effect. Masks will be available and worn by all. Also, the family respectfully asks that unvaccinated guests attend after 6:30.)

Interment will be on Friday, May 27, 10:30 am, Mt Hope Cemetery. (Masks are not required.) Family and friends are asked to meet just inside the cemetery's main gate on Mt Hope Ave, and we will proceed together to the gravesite. Per Charley's request, there will be "a prayer, a few words, and posies."

In lieu of flowers, friends may consider contributions to either WXXI or the Humane Society of Greater Rochester. These were causes near and dear to Charley's heart.