Stephen J. Doxsey

Stephen J. Doxsey, 69, of Sterling, MA, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, in Worcester, MA after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Born on January 17, 1955, in Poughkeepsie, New York, he was the son of the late Robert and Anna (Sadowski) Doxsey. Stephen is survived by his loving children, Will, Dylan, and Samantha Doxsey; his partner, Cynthia Sparks of West Boylston; his cherished siblings, Gregory (Debra) Doxsey, David Doxsey, and Robert Doxsey; as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends who loved him.

Stephen Doxsey, PhD, was a professor and devoted research scientist in the Program in Molecular Medicine at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School in Worcester, MA. He was a pioneering researcher in the field of centrosome biology and its applications to cancer, autoimmune disease, and dwarfism. Steve was a dedicated educator, mentoring the next generation of scientists, including numerous graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. Dr. Doxsey’s groundbreaking research earned support from the prestigious W. M. Keck Foundation; and he was honored with the UMass President’s Public Service Award for his efforts in establishing AP Biology laboratory opportunities for Worcester high school students amongst his many other awards.

Along with his scientific career, Steve had lifelong passions for sports, travel, his family, and his dog Petey. He pursued diving during his undergraduate years at UConn, and participated in recreational softball leagues, squash at the local JCC, and golf outings with his brother Greg. Steve treasured coaching his children’s baseball and softball teams. Even in his later years, he continued playing sports, enjoying pickleball games with the Sterling Senior Center. An adventurous spirit, Steve traveled extensively, visiting Alaska, Europe, Africa, and Vietnam—where he found what he fondly called his "favorite souvenir," his daughter Samantha. Steve was a talented photographer, capturing the world’s beauty through his lens, sharing stunning images of wildlife such as hippos, elephants, and gorillas. Steve loved mountain climbing, reaching the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Huascaran, and Mt. Whitney to name a few; he even proudly scaled Golden Gate Bridge. His passion for cultural exchange and learning inspired outreach programs like “African Afternoon,” where he visited local Sterling schools yearly to share his photography and travel stories. He will be sorely missed.

To read more about Stephen Doxsey’s extraordinary career, see the following links:

Steve Doxsey’s 2013 feature in the Journal of Cell Biology with his reflections on friends and family, Click Link

Steve Doxsey profiled in the ASCB Newsletter from June 2011, go to Page 23.

The Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel is honored to assist the family with arrangements. A memorial service will be held on January 31, 2025, at 4:00p.m. Calling Hours from 3:00p.m. to 4:00p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Stephen’s memory to The Catalyst Foundation, Click Link or venmo @Catalystvietnam.