Michael Dorian Sr.

Michael Dorian Sr. was a Ford Auto dealer.

He was born in March 1925 to immigrant parents who had found work in Detroit. Dorian was a veteran of the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II.

After the military, Dorian attended Michigan State University and later Lawrence Technological University, where he studied finance.

After some time selling used cars, he eventually became a Ford dealer and opened for business in 1964.

Dorian moved the business, Mike Dorian Ford, to Clinton Township in 1973, where it has remained ever since at its location near 15 Mile Road on Gratiot.

Dorian was sympathetic and supportive to organizations such as the ARS Armenian Orphanage Sponsorships Program, which aids orphaned children with foster care and other costs.

Dorian died in October 2005 in an auto accident after his car drifted over into opposing traffic on busy Cass Avenue in downtown Mount Clemens. He was 80.

An accident investigation and witness accounts indicated Dorian's vehicle, 2005 Ford 500, was heading eastbound on Cass Avenue in Mount Clemens when it crossed into opposing traffic and clipped or ricocheted against a westbound Chevy Suburban, then collided head-on with a tractor-trailer truck carrying hot tar.

Macomb County sheriff's investigators believed Dorian, may have had the onset of a medical "condition" that caused him to lose control of his car some time before colliding with two other vehicles.

Officials said it was his injuries from the crash, not any event preceding it, that ultimately took his life. But it remained unclear whether Dorian was conscious or lucid in the moments before the accident.

"Nothing in our investigation can tell us" whether Dorian could have survived whatever caused him to lose control of the vehicle under different circumstances, said Macomb County Sheriff's Capt. Anthony Wickersham. "But we do know the cause of death is the extent of his injuries from the accident."

Macomb County medical examiner Daniel Spitz, who conducted an autopsy on Dorian, said that Dorian had a history of several medical conditions but he could not conclude that any were the cause of his accident. Although heart disease and diabetes were among his past ailments, Spitz said he found no signs Dorian was having a heart attack.

"It doesn't appear that way," Spitz said. "From his history there's a good chance of a medical event, but can I tell you he wasn't just distracted or trying to change the station on his radio?"

Dorian had retired from the day-to-day operations of the business some years ago, entrusting it to son, Michael Jr.

"He never really fully retired, or even semi-retired as some people call it," said daughter Carolyn Dorian, who serves as parts and service manager of her father's auto dealership. "He'd still come into work every day, at least until 1 p.m. or so. And he'd call five times a day. That's the part we're going to miss."

In honor of her father several dealerships along Gratiot had lowered their flags to half-staff, Carolyn said.

In additional to Carolyn Dorian and General Manager Michael Jr., Dorian is survived by another child, daughter, Michele who works as a civil engineer. He also leaved behind three grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at Hamilton Funeral Home, 820 E. Maple Road, Birmingham. Burial arrangements afterward were private. Visitation was from 4-9 p.m. Sunday and from 4 p.m. until the time of service Monday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions were made to the ARS Armenian Orphanage Sponsorships Program.

Sources

• Ford dealer Michael Dorian Sr. dies from injuries sustained in crash, By Chad Halcom. Macomb Daily, MI, October 8 2005