Email
PrintJeffrey Smith Boucher
Jeffrey Smith Boucher
Jeffrey Smith Boucher, 53, passed away surrounded by family and friends on March 29, 2011, in Greenbrae, after a seven-year battle with melanoma. He was born on Oct. 5, 1957, in Providence, R.I., and studied marine biology at the University of Rhode Island.
Jeff's love of the outdoors blossomed into a lifelong career as a nature photographer, enabling him to travel worldwide to capture images of wildlife, landscapes and adventure sports. He climbed mountains in Nepal and climbed mountains and surfed in New Zealand and throughout the United States, scaling all but one of the Pacific Northwest volcanoes and always descending via snowboard. He often worked as a model for climbing equipment retailers. In Antarctica and Canada, he led photographic expeditions to polar bear and other wildlife habitats and served as a search-and-rescue specialist.
Drawn to Seattle, Wash., in the late 1970s to pursue his passion for outdoor sports, Jeff worked at REI as a retail sales representative and lead climber. He later worked as a photographer and website manager for Swanson's Nursery and as a freelance website designer for a wide range of businesses.
Jeff met his future wife, Victoria Graves, of Sonoma in 2008, and moved here in 2009. In his new home, he pursued his passion for golf, playing as many North Bay courses as possible, gardening, barbecuing with friends and savoring a great glass of cabernet.
Even as he fought to overcome the challenges of cancer, Jeff used his sense of humor to buoy the spirits of those he loved. His positive attitude and resilient spirit were an inspiration to all who knew him. We will miss his courage, optimism and big heart.
He is survived by his loving wife, Victoria Graves; stepsons, Austin and Alex Knott; parents, Paul and Beverly Boucher, of Port Ludlow, Wash.; and family and friends in Rhode Island, Washington, Oregon and California.
Private services in Sonoma and Seattle. Memorial donations may be made to the Environmental Science and Ecology Education department or 4-H program at Hanna Boys Center (www.hannacenter.org).
Arrangements under the direction of Duggan's Mission Chapel, Mission Cremation Service, 525 W. Napa St., Sonoma, CA.
Please note: Your full name will be published with your comment.
Ed and I were very sad to hear of Jeff's death. He did not know our daughter who was in the Peace Corps in Mali and sent her a message on her blog with words of encouragement for what she was doing. It is apparent that this type of action was typical of who Jeff was. He lived life, he loved life, and loved his family. Jeff will be remembered by all those whose lives he touched.