Judge Joseph P. Dorsa

Supreme Court Justice Joseph P. Dorsa passed away August 12 in Venice
Italy.
Having graduated from St. John’s University with a Juris Doctorate degree in 1960, Judge Dorsa started out in the law office of Philip J. Chetta, Esq. before becoming a partner in Dorsa & Villoni.
From 1997 through 1999, he served as judge in the Civil Court of the
City of New York; in 2000, he was elected a justice to the Supreme Court of the State of New York, a position he held until he passed.
Both Elizabeth A. Anderson, a Principle Law Clerk, and Dana Bahrey, Judge Dorsa’s secretary, worked with him for over nine years.
“He was an absolutely wonderful man – kind, a great judge with a
great sense of humor,” recalled Dana Bahrey, who noted that the passing of Judge Dorsa is like that of a family member.
In addition to being a member of the Queens County Bar Association, Columbian Lawyers Association, Corona Lawyers Club, Catholic Lawyers Guild and a committee member of the Clergy Round Table, Judge Dorsa was extremely civic minded.
He served as, among others, president of the Corona Lion’s Club; financial secretary of the Corona Community Ambulance Corp; treasurer and past chairman of the St. Andrew Avellino Board of Education, a member of Community Board 4; and president of the Broadway-Flushing Homeowners.
Judge Dorsa is survived by his wife, Mary Ann; sons, Joseph V. and John; and sisters Helena Smith, Pauline LaMorta and Theresa Dorsa.
Funeral arrangements were handled by the Guida Funeral Home. A funeral Mass was held at St. Andrew Avellino Church. Interment was at Mt. St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Donations in Judge Dorsa’s name can be sent to the St. Andrew Avellino Educational Fund, c/o Mr. Hugh A. Canavan, Trustee, St. Andrew Avellino, 35-60 158th Street, Flushing, N.Y. 11358. Please make checks payable to: St. Andrew Avellino.