Jeff Doscher 1947 - 2025
Obituary for Mr. John "Jeff" Doscher
John J. Doscher, known to all as Jeff, 77, of Lenox, passed away on Tuesday, March 25, 2025. Born in Jersey City, NJ on May 31, 1947, son of the late John “Jack” and Elizabeth (Makely) Doscher, he grew up in River Plaza, NJ near the ocean with his younger brother Kevin and a close-knit group of relatives and friends. Both Jeff and Kevin were introduced to sports by their parents who were avid swimmers, and as such Jeff enjoyed competitive swimming, loved playing high school sports, and had an incredible affinity for the ocean and surfing.
After losing his father at a young age to cancer, Jeff drew on the remarkable strength of his mother Elizabeth. He graduated from Middletown Township High School in 1965. Growing up a surfer, he knew the call to the ocean was too strong for him to focus on his studies along the coast, so he chose to attend John F. Kennedy College; a 125 student school in Wahoo, Nebraska in its inaugural year. After a period of searching for direction, he found that one professor who became a mentor and lit a spark that led Jeff toward his life’s work. In 1969 he graduated with a B.S. in Psychology. He went on to earn his Master’s Degree in Counseling and Student Personnel Administration at Springfield College and later his Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Community College Administration and Counseling from UMass Amherst. Following graduation from Springfield College, in 1970 Jeff began his professional career as a counselor at Greenfield Community College. This marked the beginning of more than 40 years dedicated to higher education and serving students.
In 1975, Jeff joined Berkshire Community College as the Director of Counseling, fulfilling his deep passion of working with students and striving to make higher education accessible to everyone. During his tenure at BCC, Jeff was extremely proud to hold many titles that allowed him to serve both students and administration. As the Dean of Students, he was a strong student advocate and cared deeply about making the community college experience positive and empowering. He helped create internship opportunities and presented leadership workshops on effective communication, group dynamics, and assertiveness, and even ran ski trips both near and far for students and the community. Above all, he deeply honored “the opportunity to help students find their way and perhaps fulfill their dreams for a better life.”
Jeff then served as the Dean of Institutional Advancement and Executive director of the BCC foundation, as well as the Vice President of Development and Advancement for the last 7 years of his career. He took great pride in leading the college’s fundraising efforts, creating scholarship programs, building community relationships, and singing the praises of BCC to the community. He often said he “simply loved going to work every day” and cherished collaborating with his great friends and colleagues at BCC. His commitment to the college never superseded his desire to support his children; showing up for every game, match, race, meet, award, and graduation. Jeff retired from BCC after a beautiful career in 2014, though he maintained a keen interest in the college’s success and continued fundraising for students and facilities.
Jeff was also passionate about his kids and grandchildren. Family videos always found him behind the camera, narrating and encouraging in the way only a loving father could. He often said his greatest joy was watching his kids and grandkids grow, and his greatest accomplishment was their success. Beyond family, he enjoyed skiing, golfing and running. He was a 20-year volunteer member of the Ski Patrol alongside his brother Kevin, and he taught all of his children to ski at an early age. He was an avid follower of New England sports teams, and passionate super fan of his kids’ and grandkids’ games and events.
Jeff is survived by his brother Kevin and wife Susan; his former wife Donna; his three Children: Chris and his wife Grace, Lauren and her husband Luke, and Shaun; and four beloved grandchildren: Harper, Lincoln, Jackson and Ellie. He was predeceased by his parents and his first wife, Nancy.
We would like to extend a heartfelt Thank You to Jeff’s doctors, nurses, wonderful family and friends, his former wife Donna, and his community for supporting him through a challenging and complex battle with his health.
FUNERAL NOTICE:
A celebration of Jeff’s life will be held at Berkshire Community College on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at 11am.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to the Doscher Family Scholarship at BCC, online: www.berkshirecc.edu/give or by mail to: The BCC Foundation, 1350 West Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Mr. John "Jeff" Doscher please visit our Sympathy Store.
Upcoming Events
Celebration of Life
MAY 3. 11:00 AM (ET)
Berkshire Community College
1350 West Street
Pittsfield, MA 01201