Dr. Joel L. Colker

1935 - 2025

Dr. Joel Louis Colker of Lenox, MA passed away on August 21, 2025. Born in Pittsburgh, PA on December 22, 1935, Joel was the beloved only child of the late Maurice and Ann (Goldberg) Colker.

Joel graduated from Shady Side Academy in Pittsburgh, PA. He obtained his bachelor's degree from Yale University in 1957 and earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from Cornell University.

Dr. Colker was a longtime health care provider in Berkshire County with the Central Berkshire Gastroenterology Group in Pittsfield. He is remembered as a caring and compassionate physician who formed lifelong relationships with his patients and their families.

An active member of the Jewish community, Dr. Colker was a board member and former board president of Temple Anshe Amunim in Pittsfield and a longtime supporter of the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires.

Dr. Colker had a very active mind and was always learning. He loved all genres of music, especially classical; he read voraciously and closely followed the news; and although he was not naturally loquacious, he was a skilled listener and therefore a master of conversation. He was an endlessly curious person who maintained his curiosity and personal engagement until the very last days of his life.

Most precious of all to Dr. Colker was his family. Even after he was gravely ill, he never stopped wanting to know the latest from his children and grandchildren, and he was quick to lend a listening ear and some encouragement to all, no matter how he was feeling. He was a doting husband, father, stepfather, grandfather, and great-grandfather, as well as the carer and friend to many dogs and cats over the years. Joel loved life and caring for all living things, and anyone who crossed his path was the better for it. He will be profoundly missed.

Survivors include his wife, Sue (Paley) Feakes Colker, whom he married on November 27, 1988; his daughter Elizabeth Colker-Brown and her husband, Ted Brown, of Los Angeles; his son Brian Colker and his wife, Susan Sheu, of Santa Monica, CA; his daughter Kate Lee and her husband, Bill Lee, of Guilford, CT; his daughter Laura Feakes of Pittsfield, MA; and his son David Feakes and his wife, Paula Feakes, of Stow, MA. He also leaves behind ten grandchildren-Susannah, William, Alexa, Hannah, Sadie, Pailey, Camille, Calvin, Felix, and Nate-and five great-grandchildren, Avery, Benjamin, Flint, Cyrus, and Levi.

For the excellent care Dr. Colker received in recent years, the family would like to thank the staff at Kimball Farms Life Care Community, Berkshire Medical Center, and Albany Medical Center, as well as home health aides Gryzyna, Kelly, and Terry.

Funeral services will be private. The family will be observing shiva at Kimball Farms, 235 Walker Street, Lenox, MA, on Tuesday, August 26 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating on Joel's behalf to the Berkshire Humane Society. To add to the Book of Memories, please visit flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com.