Sydney
It is with heavy hearts and much sadness that we, the family, regret to announce the sudden passing of Sheldon ‘Spanky’ Dorko on Sunday, May 23, 2021.
Born on February 18, 1979 and raised in Sydney, over the years Spanky was known to be a member of many communities; “The Rockcliff Kids”, “The Hardwood Hill Gang” and most recently he was a “Pier Boy”. Spanky was the manager of the Henry Street Pub; “The Pub” will not be the same without him. Spanky was an avid sports fan. He loved a good game of darts, horseshoes, tarbish and baseball. He had a passion for harness racing and grew up learning about horses and racing at Tartan Downs. He loved the Montreal Expos and had a love/hate relationship with the Montreal Canadiens, The Toronto Blue Jays and Pro-Line. Since 2013, Spanky dedicated a large portion of his time organizing the Annual Dorko Slow-Pitch Baseball Tournament in memory of his brother, Stephen ‘Dorko’. With the help of his friends and the baseball league, over the years, enough money was raised to create an educational trust for his nieces, an annual bursary at Sydney Academy, as well as numerous donations to many local charities.
Spanky loved to share a joke and have a laugh. His easy-going nature allowed him to make friends easily. As Leaha Mulrooney said… “If you knew him, you loved him… everyone did”! He was kind, caring, giving and forever loyal to his family and friends. Over the years many of these friends were more like his family. Cara Legge-Mulrooney, Nicole Haddad, the Ellis’s, the Mill’s, LeBLanc’s, and the Gray’s, as well as his family at the Steel City and the Henry Street Pub, are just a few of the families that he considered to be lifelong friends. The true love of Spanky’s life was his daughter, Jessica. She was everything that was right in his world. His kindness, sense of humour and love for his family and friends will live on through her.
Sheldon was predeceased by his father, John Dorko; brother and best friend, Stephen Dorko; maternal grandparents, Phyllis and Abe Oxford; as well as his paternal grandparents, Katie and Louis Dorko.
Left to remember Spanky are his mother, Jocelyn Dorko-Giles; daughter, Jessica Dorko; sister, Veronica Grosset (Stewart MacDonald) and twin sister, Samantha Dorko; nieces, Ella and Adrianna Wintermans, Allie Aucoin and Samantha Grosset; nephews, Nathan Grosset and Kyle MacDonald, and Jordan Blunden, Sault Sainte Marie, who he thought of as a son.
We are heartbroken over the loss of our son, father, brother and friend. There will forever be a missing piece in our hearts and in our community at large. Spanky always had an appreciation for how short our journey is on this earth, as he leaves us to be reunited with his brother, Stephen, we remember the good times and sing “We can’t all stay here forever. So, I want to write my words on the face of today…And then, they’ll paint it”. #69
“Invitation Only” Memorial Service for the late Spanky Dorko who passed away on May 23, 2021, will be held in the All Faith Chapel, Pier Community Funeral Home, Whitney Pier on Tuesday, August 24, 2021 at 3 p.m. with Rev. Sheldon Chant officiating. Interment will be in Resurrection Cemetery, Sydney Forks. Covid protocols will be practiced at the service and for those unable to attend, Live Streaming will be available on our website.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Spanky, can be made to a charity of choice.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Pier Community Funeral Home.
Online Condolences
My condolences to you Jocelyn and to your family, my thought and prayers are with you at this very difficult time. Stay Strong ,Hugs
From: Audrey (Oxford) Durnford
Spanky, you will be missed and thought of often. Condolences to your family at this grievous time. Rest in peace my friend.
Respectfully,
From: Joe Hollohan
My Deepest condolences to Jocelyn, and family. I just loved Spanky, he was the best. I will miss him dearly. Rip Slacky, you were one of a kind. God you hated when I called you Slacky.The laughs we had. .
From: Joann Turner
So sorry for your loss Veronica, Stewart, Nathan, Samantha and Kyle it sounds like he was a wonderful man, may all the memories you have of time you spent with Spany live on in your hearts for ever. Hugs and more hugs
Dan and Vonnie MACDONALD
So very sorry for the loss of Spanky to all his family and friends.
So sorry for your loss..I worked with Spanky for many years at the pub. He will always be remembered as l legend.
My Condolences to you all. Hugs. Rest Easy my Friend. You will be Dearly Missed. Thank You for the Memories.
So sorry to hear of Spankys passing. He was always full of life and everytime we got together he liked to recall old times when we worked at the Regional and I was his supervisor. We had many laughs together. RIP my friend. You have touched more hearts than you knew.
Spank i am lost for words, i mean your brother i thought of as a brother, and you spank i would do anything for, i remember when we both got hired at the hospital, and the really good old days of the billard connection….rest easy little bud…
My heart reaches out in deepest sympathy to the family and friends of (Spanky) Sheldon Dorko. May he Rest in Eternal Peace ❤
My condolences to All of his Family and Friends…RI P Sheldon.
Thinking of Veronica and family and friends during this difficult time. Sending positive thoughts to all. From one of the “Rockcliff kids”.
My deepest condolences to all of Spanky’s families and friends. Rest In Peace my friend💕
Condolences to the family and friends of Spanky, he will be missed by many, till we meet again my friend
Love you buddy
So very sorry to hear of your loss. Thinking of you all during this difficult time.
To Spanky ‘s family our hearts are broken as we are still in shock. Our thoughts and condolences are with you all. Love always Jackie &Debbie Long.
My deepest condolences to the Dorko Family & friends. May your memories of Spanky bring you comfort during this difficult time.
So sorry…great guy…spoke to him last summer and we talked…my empathy to the family…
Myrtle Mackinnon
Deepest Sympathy to the family and friends of ‘Spanky’ Sheldon Dorko. He will be remembered always
My heart goes out to everyone. I will miss Spanky’s huge smile! I have nothing but fond memories of Spank. He was one of the kindest and most genuine people I have ever met. Spanky didn’t care who you were or where you came from he just treated everyone with kindness. He was a great human being.
Thank you for always treating me with kindness Spanky and thank you for always making me smile as brightly as yours.
Fly high xo
To Spanky’s family&friends,you have my most sincere condolences ♡ God Bless
Samantha & family ,
My deepest condolences to you all during this difficult time.
Xo
Rest in eternal peace
My deepest condolences to you Jocelyn, and to your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this very difficult time. Stay strong. Hug’s
My deepest condolences to Spanky’s family. My heart is heavy for everyone that had the pleasure to know him. He truly was great person and will be missed by so many – but I know, just like Dorko, their legacy will never be forgotten.
Spanky was a great guy and will be missed and always thought of fondly by everyone who met him. I’ll miss his laugh and smile. My deepest condolences to all who loved him. Rest easy my friend.
So sorry for the loss of someone so full of life! Thoughts and prayers for Spanky’s family and friends, which were many!! RIP Spanky! 💔🙏
Spanky was such an awesome guy. The kind of person it was impossible not to like. He will be missed by so many.
R.i.p Spanky you well be missed ole buddy. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family during this time of grief.
Spanky. You will be missed for sure. To his family and friends. I am very sorry on your loss. RIP. Spanky
My condolences to Spanky’s family for thier loss. I first met Spanky around 1987 up on Hillside St. when he started playing with my children Michael and Laura Thomey. So sad that he left us at such an early age. Rest In Peace Amen.
REST IN PEACE SPANKY,You will be missed,Condolences to all of his family and friends
Love ya little bro. Rest easy my friend!
My deepest condolences to Spanky’s family and his loved ones. I’m sure Spanky was unaware how he has touched many hearts by just being himself. Rest In Peace Spanky, you will be missed.
I want to reach out to all the crew, all love to you in this time of sadness.may you find comfort in the company of each other.
Spanky was loved by all who knew him. His passing leaves a hole in many hearts… but his memory will live on in our stories of him. My condolences to his family and many friends over the loss of such an amazing human being.
So sorry to hear of the loss of such a great guy Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Rip Spanky
There are no words to describe the sadness felt by so many. He’s surely going to be missed and the memories of his joyous nature will be eternal. Sincere condolences to his family and closest friends – RIP sweet Spanky ❤️
My deepest condolences, Jocelyn, to you and all who feel this loss. Far too young, far too soon.
Our deepest and sincere sympathies go out to the family of spanky kenny will misss his buddy rest spanky and godspeed love ken mackenzie and debbie ferguson
Please accept my deepest condolences to all Spanky’s family and friends on your loss, my thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
Thanks for the wonderful memories spankinator. It was a pleasure working with you at the pub. Fly high my friend … fly high
Condolences to the whole family. Spanky was one of a kinds and a gentle soul.
RIP Spanky. I remember you when I was a cook at Tartan Downs.
Such an infectious human being! He was loved by all who knew him. Salt of the earth kinda guy. He will always be remembered ♥️ My deepest condolences to his family and all who knew and loved him. Rest easy Spank Xo
SO SORRY REST EASY SPANK!!
So sorry for the loss of such a well loved and known guy!!! Thinking of the family and friends—may you all find comfort in your fond memories! Rest In Peace Spanky ♥️
My heartfelt condolences to Spankey’s family and friends…much loved young man is very obvious by the comments.he surly will be missed…….rest in peace Spanky and God Bless You!!!
Sorry for your loss Veronica and family
My prayers and thoughts are with his family and friends . Sheldon was a great guy Rip my friend
I lived in Sydney from 1998 until Karen and Sheldon were pregnant with beautiful Jessica. He was loyal and full of life. Spankey helped teach me to have the most fun possible in this world, a challenge for me. Sending love to his whole family and all his friends.
Don’t. Have. Words. Our. Deepest condolences to his. Mother. Daughter. Sisters an family. Heartbreaking loss for you an all who loved him. He was an amaxing man ,God had other plans for this man an took a piece of our hearts with him 💔💔💔😰😰😰🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
My thoughts and prayers to Spanky’s family. His big personality, humour and smile will be missed
The amount of hockey games we played on Hillside. So sorry for this loss. I still remember how he made me want to be better at hockey just so I could score on him. I was determined! Never forget Sheldon.
I played darts with Spanky. I have only known him for about 2 years but he was a great guy , and to read all these words from everyone who knew him. He will never be forgotten. Fly high bud ! See you on the other side and you better have your darts ready !!
My deepest condolences to you all. There is no greater sorrow then the loss of a loved one. My thoughts and prayers are with you all!❤️❤️❤️
Fly high Spanky. You could always make anyone laugh. You were definitely one of a kind, you will be truly missed by many. My deepest condolences to the Dorko family.
Sincere condolences on your loss. I worked with him at the Regional Hospital, and he was a great guy to work with. He always brightened your day and made you smile. My thoughts and prayers to you all.
We are heartbroken to hear of Spanky’s passing. To know him was to love him – he was a gem. Sending love to the family, and the friends who were his family.
Spanky will be missed by many. I’m so happy to be able to call him a friend. Deepest condolences to the family.
U were an amazing guy spanky I will miss seeing u when I come home at the Henry street pub u could make anyone smile and laugh even if they didn’t want to my condolences to your daughter who u told me all about in January how proud u were of her and the rest of your family u will be missed by so many
condolences to Sheldon’s family he was a great guy always smiling in a good mood no matter what .He will be missed by his many friends .worked with him at cbrh RIP Spanky
I am so sorry for your loss spanky was a true gentleman incredibly personality and the biggest heart ever he could make you smile nomatter how bad your day was he will truly be missed but heaven gained another angel that’s foresure.
I certainly will miss Hollering ” Hey Spanky Doodle” u goin to town ? Of course he’d laughing & smiling so bright. I send my sincere condolences to The Family of This FINE YOUNG GENTLEMAN gone too soon.
Blessed be to God .I will continue to pray for u all. God bless.
Dear Jocelyn,
I taught Sheldon when he attended Cusack Elementary School (I was Mrs Planetta then), Please accept my sincerest condolences on the loss of your dear son. I also taught Samantha and Stephen. They were all such nice children – I have good memories of them. You were always interested in their progress & success. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Very sorry.
Sincere condolences, Spanky was one in a million, that smile told you it was going to be a fun time. He would visit Cabot street and was always
a gentleman. This is a profound loss for his friends and family. Deepest sympathy Dianne MacAskill