Thomas John Dorsey
In Loving Memory of
Thomas John Dorsey
Thomas John Dorsey, known affectionately to family and friends as Tom or Tommy, passed away on August 19, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of adventure, achievement, generosity, and, above all, an unwavering love for his family.
Tom was born on December 3, 1947, in Everett, Massachusetts, to Thomas B. Dorsey and Antoinette Christoffels Dorsey. As the son of a U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, he grew up with an appreciation for service, discipline, and a life filled with possibility.
Tom attended Richard Bland College before transferring to Virginia Commonwealth University, where he continued his education and began shaping the independent spirit and entrepreneurial drive that would define so much of his life.
Tom proudly served his country in the United States Navy, including service during the Vietnam War. His commitment to service was only one chapter in a life defined by courage and curiosity. He was a man who embraced adventure wholeheartedly—a hot air balloon pilot, pool player, American and world record holding powerlifter, Harley-Davidson enthusiast, and world traveler who never lost his sense of wonder about the world around him.
Professionally, Tom was an entrepreneur at heart, a visionary, and a pioneer. After a successful career as a stockbroker at Merrill Lynch and later leading the options department at Wheat First Securities, he co-founded Dorsey, Wright & Associates in 1987. There, he became a Wall Street pioneer and one of the foremost teachers of Point & Figure technical analysis.
Tom was a world-class speaker, an accomplished author of numerous books, and a passionate educator who shared his knowledge and ideas with audiences around the world. He was responsible for bringing the first Point & Figure Exchange Traded Fund to Wall Street and had the distinction of ringing the opening bell at both the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq. Yet despite his many accomplishments and the influence he had on his industry, Tom remained remarkably humble, never truly grasping the extraordinary number of lives he touched along the way.
Throughout his career, Tom was passionate not only about sharing his knowledge, but also about helping others recognize their own potential. He was a true believer in people and in their ability to become greater than they ever thought possible. He inspired others, challenged conventional thinking, educated and encouraged countless individuals, and helped people see opportunities where others saw limitations. His greatest gift may have been his ability to make people believe in possibilities—and, more importantly, to believe in themselves.
Of all the adventures he pursued and accomplishments he achieved, nothing meant more to Tom than his family. He was an incredible husband, father and grandfather whose love was fierce, steadfast, and unconditional. He would do anything for those he loved, and his family always knew they could count on him.
Tom leaves behind his beloved wife of 48 years, Cindy Dorsey; his children, Thomas Dorsey (Laura), Mitchell Dorsey (Roni), and Samantha Dorsey Rodriguez (Charlie); his five cherished grandchildren, Charlotte, Emerson, Colman, Henry, and Lucy; and his sister, Maureen Eberhart (Dick). Each carries forward a part of his spirit, his strength, his adventurous nature, and the enduring lessons he shared.
Tom lived boldly, loved fiercely, and believed deeply in the power of possibilities within life and within each of us. His journey took him around the world and to great heights, both literally and figuratively, but his greatest joy was always found with the people he loved most.
He will be profoundly missed, lovingly remembered, and forever carried in the hearts of his family, friends, colleagues, students, and all those fortunate enough to have known him.
His was a life well lived, an adventure well traveled, and a love that will never be forgotten.
Celebration of Life
Hope Church
12445 Patterson Avenue, Richmond, VA 23238
September 14, 2026 at 11am EST
Livestream will be available on https://www.youtube.com/@HopeChurchRVA/featured
Reception immediately following on location until 1pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Tommy’s memory to support the Bon Secours Children’s Hope Gala at givebsmh.org/Richmond (please select “Children’s Hope Gala” for gift designation) or Bon Secours Richmond Health Care Foundation, 920 Libbie Avenue, Suite 100, Richmond, VA 23226.
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I was blessed by Tom Dorsey way back in 1994 when I to was a stockbroker for Prudential Securities. Tom visited our branch in Tucson,Az., I was then bitten by the Point and Figure methodology. He brought a flavor I had not seen any where before in the sales meeting. I went from fledgling stockbroker to a very large producer on the back of Tom and the crew there at DWA.
I attended many two day seminars and always looked forward to Tom’s energy and gifts of positive feedback. Since then I have taught others the DWA system and my son who was in six grade the methodology, who is now my business partner. With Toms DWA system our family has been very blessed and now bless others. I will miss his talks,kindness,bravery, and smile. I know he is in a better place riding high on the clouds of X’s and O’s,
So grateful, each day, to Tom Dorsey and his years of entreprenurial leadership in educating me and the legions of other financial advisors.
Was introduced to Tom (Watson and DWA team) back in the Fall of 1997.
Right away, I sensed Tom’s very own-and-profoundly-special brand of caring “ideal of service” that inspired his “DWA family” and his clients like me.
To this day and into my hopeful future, Tom’s teachings and wisdom consistently guide me to “best serve” my clients, per our Divine’s plan. Keep smiling Tom, while watching over us. Thank you, Cindy, for your decades of support to Tom and his DWA & Associates firm. With my loving and devoted condolences,
Started following Tom back in the early 90s when I was just learning P&F. One day in 2005 or so, I called DWA with a question about the service. Tom answered. I was shocked, but he said he often did that. I asked my question and many other “life” oriented ones. He proceeded to answer my questions and provided the advice I solicited. I took his advice and ran with it. He was a great guy who cared about people…even about a guy he’d never met who just called one day.
I’ve been a DWA subscriber and fan since the middle 1990’s. Dorsey Wright has been extremely helpful to my business. It’s the first thing I look at in the morning, and my go to research when a client asks about a stock. I had the pleasure of speaking to Tom on a handful of occasions. I always found him to be engaging, helpful and gracious. Tom was a teacher, an innovator and above all a true gentleman. A life well lived.
Tom Dorsey had a significant affect on my professional and financial success in the markets. I became a student of Point and Figure methodology during the 1980’s. Michael Burke of Chartcraft was often at his seminars. My husband and I attended many of the Point and Figure seminars which Tammy was an important contributor. I have such a deep appreciation of his enthusiasm and what he contributed to this important area of Technical Analysis. My clients have benefited greatly from my reliance on point and figure methodology and over the years have become wealthy due to my reliance on Dorsey Wright and Associates excellent platform. Tom was a great person for many reasons stated in his biography. He helped so many people attain important long-term wealth. Anyone who knew Tom throughout his life benefitted from his generosity in helping others learn.
I am thankful a market maker introduced me to Tom’s book and service in the late 1990’s. It’s been wonderful and a positive part of my practice. It also has been fun seen DWA’s evolution and eventual sale/exit, and then continuation. He was generous too with his time and talent. I passed on my copy of his book in an effort to spread the word of PnF charting and sadly, the book was never returned. I inquired via e-mail about buying the latest edition signed by him–never got a response on a price–What I received was a book, signed by Tom in response. That good will and generosity is what I will always remember. Sorry for the family’s loss. Too soon.
I met Tom Dorsey 10 years ago and he has helped me out tremendously and has given me some great life advice through his conversations and he was a very heart warming person to be around RIP you will be missed heavily
I met Tom in a different time, in a different decade, in a different life. What he became to me had nothing to do with the size of his firm or the number of exchange traded funds he helped design or the awards he collected. What he became to me was a man who saw something in me before I saw it in myself, and who then spent twenty-two years quietly refusing to let me forget it. He has been my friend and my mentor, in most things related to life, which is to say most of what has mattered to me in the markets, and a great deal of what has mattered to me outside of it.
I miss him. I have missed him this last month. I will miss him for a long time. Rest easy Tom.
Tom changed my career 15 years ago when I worked as an advisor for Merrill Lynch, where I spent 41 years. I was fortunate to cross paths with a couple of his happy clients after the 2008 crash. I attended an institute shortly thereafter and began using, and to this day use, his methodology. I attended 4 or five institutes and learned a lot. Most importantly, it gave me a new tool which enabled me to stand out from the crowd in discussions and presentations. A true difference maker, which I needed.
I connected with him off and on but importantly 6 months ago via text and we swapped ideas. I had the opportunity to tell him then, on a phone call, how much he had given me and how he had made a true difference in my career. Now I’ve lost my sounding board, but I guess he thinks I am ready.