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WILLIAM DOCKSER Obituary
DOCKSER WILLIAM B. DOCKSER (Age 79) Of Bethesda, Maryland passed away on March 9, 2016. He was born in Massachusetts the son of Betty and Charles Dockser. He graduated from Hebron Academy in Hebron, Maine. Bill held a Bachelor of Laws degree from Yale University Law School, and a Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, degree from Harvard College. Mr. Dockser had been Chairman of the Board and Founder of CRI, Inc. since 1974, and was founder and Chairman of CRIIMI Mae from 1989 to early 2003. He served as Chairman of the Board of two listed NYSE mortgage companies, and four American Stock Exchange listed government insured multi-family mortgage companies. He has long been active in industry, charitable, and political activities, and was Chairman of the Dockser Family Foundation. Bill was chairman of the National Jewish Democratic Council, as well as Chairman of the Soloman Project. Along with his wife Sonnie they created the Dockser Research Fellowship at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel. At Harvard University Bill founded the Dockser Scholars Fellowships for International Studies. He had been designated a John Harvard Fellow. He was proud to serve as Co-Chair of his 50th Harvard Reunion. Mr. Dockser was a Trustee of Suburban Hospital. He was serving on the Facilities and Real Estate Development Committee for Johns Hopkins Medicine. In 2007, he was appointed by the Governor of Maryland, as Commissioner of the Maryland Port Commission, the agency overseeing the Port of Baltimore. He was an ardent sailor, and this was an honor and a highlight in his life. Bill was married to his wife, Sonnie for thirty-five beautiful years. He had three children from his first marriage, Brad Dockser (Debbie), Evan Dockser (Kitty) and Karen Walter (Vinnie). He was step-father to four children in his marriage to Sonnie. Lauren Cafritz (Elliot), Jill Krueger (Elan), Richard Chelec (Susan) and Diane Stern (Andrew). Bill and Sonnie have been blessed with 17 extraordinary grandchildren. Funeral Services will be held at the Washington Hebrew Congregation, 3935 Macomb St., NW, Washington, DC 20016 on Sunday, March 13 at 1:30 p.m. Interment will follow at Judean Memorial Gardens in Olney, Maryland. The family will receive immediately following at the late residence and observing Shiva Sunday and Monday, 7 p.m. Minyan services. Contributions in Bill Dockser''s honor may be made to: The Chesapeake Bay Foundation, 6 Herndon Avenue Annapolis, Maryland 21403 www.sagelbloomfield.com www.sagelbloomfield.com
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Memories and Condolences
for WILLIAM DOCKSER
Barbara Dockser Cohen
March 7, 2024
As time passes and there are fewer first cousins to share my life with...I find my memories most comforting. I think of Billy and his kind,gentle manner often. He is missed.
Ira Forman
April 3, 2016
Dear Sonnie and family-
I was traveling in Europe for work when I heard the very sad news about Bill. He was one of a kind-- I will never forget his personal kindness to me, his dedication to this country and public policy, and his love of life. I hope you find some comfort in the days ahead from your family and good friends. May his memory truly be a blessing for us all.
Ira Forman
Jeff & Neen Muscatine
March 25, 2016
Sonnie and family -- we are so sad to learn of the loss of such an authentic and marvelous man. We will remember his generous and spirited engagement with friends, and the remarkable scope and of his "ravenous" take on life.
Debbie Pautrat
March 15, 2016
Dear Sonnie & Dockser family,
I am so sad for your loss. I had the pleasure and privilege of working with Bill for the past 9 years, Such a generous and kind man. He will be surely missed.
barbara Goldberg Goldman
March 15, 2016
Dear Sonnie,
Please accept my deepest and sincerest sympathy and thoughts.Bill was always there to advise and counsel when it came to politics, especially in the Democratic arena. I know he will be sorely missed by the so many people whose lives he touched. Bill Dockser was a true mensch! May his name and memory be for blessings.
miss clemente
March 15, 2016
Dearest Karen, Evan and Brad,
Karen I am thinking of you and your brothers daily. you are in my heart. my connecting with you the past couple years brought wonder and immense awe, of your courage, strength and beauty.
I light a second candle tonight, as I went to the memorial gardens yesterday. I was too late. I wish I could have lent a hug, a word. I stayed an hour with hope all was late and I may see you.
the quiet enveloped. I painted my fingers across the clear onyx letters, and reached into the earth's dampened soil -
a treasure was found
a silent tiny stone
I captured a handful of earth and greens
raindrops fell down cheeks,
already stained of tears.
I shall preserve the greens and share with you
(if wished for)
.Karen.Evan.Brad.
may the planets gifts
grace and hold your hearts each day -
a birds song
the sapphire oceans music
the oaks grounding peace
the emerald mountains strength
the springs purple crocus
the sparkling suns warm embraces -
may
a l l forms of
L O V E
and every memory
hold your hearts,
and
light your being
of your father's loving
presence with you
f o r e v e r -
March 14, 2016
May the God of all comfort be with your fily during this difficult time.
David Falk
March 13, 2016
I cut my teeth in private law practice working for Bill and his then partner, Marty, well over 40 years ago. It was a great learning experience and a pleasure to be working for such a decent individual.
Barbara Dockser Cohen
March 13, 2016
Dear Sonnie and Dockser family,
Sad greetings from Billy's cousin in Rhinebeck NY. I am Sonny and Helen Dockser's daughter and I have only wonderful memories of Billy as I was growing up. He was always so positive and cheerful...and truly respectful and considerate of me as well as others. I still picture him when we met him on his return to the US after he was an exchange student in Germany. Nobody wore lederhosen better than Billy. And, I shall never forget his kindness when he traveled all the way up to Poughkeepsie NY in 1975 to pay his respects when he heard of the death of my son, Brad. Billy was truly special. His life was a wonderful gift and I am grateful that we could all share in it.
March 13, 2016
May the hearer of prayer give you strength to endure
Lyanne & Barry Wassermann
March 12, 2016
Dear Sonnie and The Dockser Family,
Our hearts go out to you during these very difficult moments. Please accept condolences from the entire Wassermann family who care so much for all of you and who so loved being with Bill over the years. He was such a special person and we pray that his life will serve as a role model for others who seek to make this a better world.
With all our love,
Lyanne and Barry
March 12, 2016
I am so sorry for your loss, they are very difficult time, yet bible in jonh chapter 5:28-29 give us a beautiful hope. I hope that this can brin you comfort.
Lisa Plushnick
March 12, 2016
Sonnie and Dockser family....My heart was broken when I heard of the loss of Bill. I just saw you both at my Brother's wedding in October and had such a nice talk catching up on life. He was such a wonderful person who was so genuine and real, which is rare, and such a blessing in this world. You had a relationship to admire and respect in which I personally looked up to as a child to adulthood hearing how loyal and generous as friends you were to my parents. I appreciated you joining in many family events in my life over the years and reciprocating the same towards us. An amazing human being was lost to this world and I pray for strength for you and the family, Bill will always be remembered for his beautiful spirit, smile, and his great love for his family and friends.
miss clemente
March 12, 2016
william dockser was my boss of two years. he always treated me with the utmost respect, dignity and class. I am grateful for my time with him, and the wonderful laughs and lunch. thank you so very much bill.
William b. dockser your light will shine until the end of time, full with your essence and great spirit for life.
may your light forever embrace and comfort your loved ones. just as a lighthouse comforts and guides, along shorelines of your beloved sparkling azure seas -
s h a l o m
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