Jeffrey Whitehouse

Jeffrey Whitehouse, aka “Uncle Jeff”, reached his “Best If Used By Date” on Friday, May 2, 2025. Jeff was the son of Darwin and Grace Butler Whitehouse. He attended Morewood School and was a graduate of Pittsfield High School. He also studied (not too hard) at Berkshire Community College and Southern Colorado State College. Insistent on writing his own obituary, Jeff transcribed the above, but, following in his true fashion of procrastination, he completed nothing more than those words. We hope to do him justice in finishing what he started. Continuing where Jeff left off, still the beginning of his story, in 1968, amid his (so-called) studies at Southern Colorado State, Jeff enlisted in the United States Army. As he loved to tell the story, Jeff's ability to type 120 words per minute set him apart from many of his fellow counterparts, allowing him to be stationed right in Colorado Springs as opposed to overseas in Vietnam. After his time in the military, for the majority of his career, Jeff was employed by Reynolds, Barnes, and Hebb, where he worked as an insurance agent. Following his time there, he worked at AAA Insurance. Proposed by his uncle Don Butler, Jeff joined the Rotary Club in October of 1978, and was a long-standing member of 46 years. There he served in many capacities and held several titles. He received the Club Paul Harris recognition in 1987, was honored with the Don Butler Award in 1998, was their president in 1989, and also served on the Rotary Club of Pittsfield Foundation Board of Directors. In 2024, The Jeff Whitehouse/Paul Harris Fellows Scholarship was named after him, recognizing Jeff for his contributions to the club and to those continuing their education. All who knew (or even just knew of) Jeff, understood that he was never solely defined by his career, or by what he did, but by his vibrant (and, perhaps at times, overpowering) personality, his boisterous laugh, and (irreverently) fantastic sense of humor. He was always around others, and was at his best when he was. Constantly active in the community, he participated in multiple projects, such as Dictionary Deliveries for 3rd graders, Ringing the Bell for the Salvation Army, collecting for the Food Drive each fall, and even packing bags for the homeless. Jeff was fondly known to many as the “Rent a Rev”, as he presided as justice for a number of marriages. He knew everybody in town, plus quite a few more, and once even toyed with the idea of running for mayor. While (again, perhaps in true Jeff fashion) he never followed through, Jeff was deemed one title better, the “Unofficial Mayor of Pittsfield"… a little less responsibility, and a lot more fun. Jeff’s family meant the world to him. He is survived by his sister, best friend, and partner-in-crime, Deborah Robitaille, and her children, Lindsay Robitaille (Jason) and Jarrett Robitaille (Halley), as well as his grand nephews, Charlie, Jack, and Shea, all of whom he adored. Jeff leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins, of whom special gratitude goes to nephew Michael Whitehouse and cousin Jeanne Butler Boino, for their unwavering love and support. Jeff is also survived by longtime friends whom he thought of as family, Jim and Peggy Hashim, as well as a myriad of cohorts too abundant to count. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, Donald Whitehouse. Jeff’s family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Nisar Ahmad, Rebecca Souza, and the entire staff at the Phelps Cancer Center, as well as to the doctors and nurses of the fourth floor at BMC, for their excellent care and compassion throughout this time. A special thanks also goes to Tony Mazzeo and his entire family and staff at Mazzeos Ristorante as well as Candace Lyon and her entire family and staff at Proprietors Lodge. While Jeff may have "reached his ‘Best If Used By Date’ ”, we know that the impact he had on each one of our lives will never expire. May all of those who were blessed to have known him raise a glass of Maker’s Mark in his memory and toast a life well-lived. Here’s to you, Jeff. Funeral Notice: Calling hours for Jeff will be Sunday, May 18, 2025, from 12noon to 3pm at the Dwyer Funeral Home, 776 North Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to the Berkshire County Jimmy Fund or to the Jeff Whitehouse/Paul Harris Fellows Scholarship in care of the Dwyer Funeral Home.

Jeffrey Whitehouse

November 22, 1946 - May 2, 2025