Client Spotlight: Joyce & Vinny Dorsey

Joyce Dorsey was raised in Granbury on a farm purchased by her grandfather in 1947. He owned a trucking company and trucked cattle from west Texas to the Ft. Worth stockyards. In 1947, he stopped at a local café and asked if there was land for sale. He bought 150 acres and drove home to explain to his wife that this is where they were going to retire. It didn’t go over too well, but he convinced her to move here in 1949.

They still raise longhorn cattle on the farm, and have a miniature horse, goats, chickens, guineas and more. Her niece, Julie Byington – Berry Client Services Assistant, now lives on the farm.

Joyce attended Abilene Christian University with Tanya Dee’s sister, studying Business Administration and English. She began working for an attorney and eventually became District Clerk. After public office, her corporate legal experience included 15 years at Wells Fargo as a Senior VP.

Vinny was born in Brooklyn, NY, but grew up in Mystic, CT, where he fished and crabbed as a boy. Located on Long Island Sound, this beautiful town has a popular seaport and aquarium. Joyce and Vinny enjoy spending time there each year.

Vinny studied mechanical engineering at UCONN, then worked at the shipyard in Groton for 16 years doing nuclear submarine piping. He then worked for Stone & Webster in Boston and volunteered to work at the Granbury nuclear site. He thought a change of scenery would be good at that point in life, and that led him to meet Joyce.

Joyce and Vinny met at the Splash piano bar, where Joyce was singing while the pianist played. Vinny walked in, put his arm around her and started harmonizing. The rest is history!

From fall through spring, Joyce, Vinny, and other volunteers feed over 100 first responders weekly at Granbury Church of Christ. Joyce is the coordinator, and Vinny serves as the head chef. (crowd favorites include BBQ, lasagna, fried chicken, and his signature smoked meatloaf) It’s a lot of planning, but they find it very rewarding to give back to these deserving folks in the community.

They live on the water and are frequently out on their boat with their beloved pup, Cooper.

Vinny is very passionate about thoroughbred horseracing. He saw Secretariat win the Belmont by 31 lengths in 1973, and was immediately hooked. Together, they have been to the Preakness, the Belmont, the Derby, the Breeder’s Cup, and many more.

We love having Joyce and Vinny as part of the Berry Wealth Group family!