PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Stephen Mitchell Gershoff, 85, of Walden Lane in Pittsfield died Saturday, December 31, 2016, in Melbourne, Florida, with his wife Sheila Gershoff and family by his side.



Stephen was born in New York City on December 30, 1931, to Mitchell and Doris Gershoff and he grew up in Brooklyn. When he was not working in his father's Broadway restaurant, Stephen rooted for the Brooklyn Dodgers and played handball with his father. He attended Brooklyn Polytechnic College where he honed skills as an engineer. He met and married his first wife, Toby Ann, in New York. They shared their first date aboard the Staten Island Ferry.



He moved to Pittsfield in 1968, where his analytical and quick-witted mind would fuel both a 30-year tenure as an Engineer for General Electric and a mastery of Gin Rummy, a game in which he rarely lost to his children or grandchildren.



In 1978 he married his beloved wife, Sheila, and together they raised six cherished children and assorted pets. They traveled the world together and visited their children and grandchildren in New York, Georgia, Florida, Texas and Hawaii.



Stephen was a veteran of the Korean War, serving in the Army Military Police. He was an active member of Temple Anshe Amunium in Pittsfield and held numerous positions in the Temple Brotherhood and on the Temple Board. He was a board member of Walden Village Community, were he served two terms as President. He also volunteered at Habitat for Humanity and Berkshire Bounty.



Many in the community will fondly remember Stephen for his vibrant and passionate talks at the Norman Rockwell Museum, where he worked as a docent for 21 years following his "retirement" from G.E. Stephen also will be remembered for his friendly poker games with his friends, his eagerness to help others, and his dry humor.



He leaves behind his wife, Mrs. Sheila Gershoff; his daughters, Leslie Gershoff and Michele Taylor; his sons, Andrew Gershoff, Darren Taylor and Matthew Gershoff; six grandchildren, Donald Taylor, MacKensie Taylor, Donavan Taylor, Ariya Majarone, Noah Gershoff, Elizabeth Gershoff and Justin Majarone; and many friends.



He was predeceased by his first wife, Toby Ann, who passed away in 1975.



Funeral notice: Funeral services for Stephen Gershoff, who died December 31, 2016, will be held Monday, January 9, 2017, at 10:30 a.m. at Temple Anshe Amunim conducted by Rabbi Joshua L. Breindel. Burial will follow in Pittsfield Cemetery. There are no calling hours. Memorial donations in memory of Stephen may be made to Temple Anshe Amunim in care of the Dery Funeral Home, 54 Bradford St. Pittsfield, MA 01201.