As Delta Sigma Phi marks its 125th anniversary, a remarkable discovery has brought us closer to our roots. For decades, the gravesite of Charles Tonsor Jr., one of our Fraternity’s co-founders, had eluded generations of brothers. While Meyer Boskey’s resting place has been known and honored for years, Tonsor’s burial site remained a mystery—until now.

Thanks to the dedication and tenacity of Brother J. Marty Dormany (Florida State ’91), the search for Tonsor’s gravesite has finally come to a triumphant conclusion. His discovery not only adds to the rich tapestry of Delta Sigma Phi’s history but also serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring legacy of our founders.

The journey began, as Marty recalls, in the Delta Sigma Phi NYC Alumni Association’s Facebook group. A post featuring a photo of Meyer Boskey’s grave in Queens sparked curiosity among brothers about Tonsor’s final resting place.

“Several brothers had asked about Charles Tonsor Jr.’s grave, but no one had any information,” Marty shared.

Drawing on a lifelong interest in genealogy, Marty began to investigate. Early clues pointed him to Fall River, Massachusetts, where Tonsor’s wife, Bertha, is buried in a family plot. However, cemetery records showed no evidence of Tonsor’s burial there. Marty then connected with Jim Knoll (San Jose State ’83), who shared an obituary clipping indicating Tonsor had been interred at Cypress Hills Cemetery in Brooklyn.

The task of locating Tonsor’s grave at Cypress Hills was daunting. The cemetery, over 175 years old, spans both Brooklyn and Queens and lacks digital records for burials prior to the 1990s. Marty’s determination, however, was undeterred. After contacting the cemetery office, he connected with a staff member willing to search through paper archives. Days later, she delivered the breakthrough: Tonsor’s grave was located in Section 5, Plot 33, Grave 2.

“I thanked her profusely,” Marty said. “The next morning, I made the hour-long trip from Harlem to Cypress Hills.” Navigating the cemetery proved challenging; much of Section 5 was unmarked and confusingly laid out. After hours of searching under the hot sun, Marty sought help from a gravedigger foreman who clarified the plot numbering system. With this guidance, Marty finally stood before the grave of Charles Tonsor Jr.

The experience was deeply emotional. “It occurred to me that I may be the first Delta Sigma Phi brother to visit his grave in decades,” Marty reflected. “That realization was powerful. I felt I was reconnecting with a part of our Fraternity’s history in a profoundly personal way.”

The discovery didn’t stop there. Marty found that Tonsor’s grave lies only a 15-minute walk from Boskey’s resting place in Old Mount Carmel Cemetery. These two sites—separated by only a short bridge over the Jackie Robinson Parkway—stand as silent witnesses to the vision and dedication of our founders.

Marty’s passion for genealogy, cultivated during childhood outings to cemeteries with his mother, René, was instrumental in solving this puzzle. “I love solving mysteries,” Marty said. Yet, even he was unprepared for the response his discovery generated. “This find seems to have created a larger splash than I anticipated. I am gratified, beyond words, to contribute to the body of knowledge of our Delta Sigma Phi history… and just in time for our 125th Founders Day!”

The discovery underscores the importance of honoring and preserving Delta Sigma Phi’s rich legacy. It reminds us of the vision and values that inspired our founders—brotherhood, unity, and the belief in building men of character. As we celebrate 125 years, the rediscovery of Tonsor’s gravesite reconnects us with the origins of our brotherhood and invites us to reflect on the ideals that have guided us for over a century.

This moment is not just about uncovering a grave—it’s about remembering the lives of two men whose bold idea laid the foundation for countless others to come together in Culture, Harmony, and Friendship. May this discovery inspire us all to honor their vision and carry it forward into the next 125 years of Delta Sigma Phi’s story.