Albert E. “Jeff” Jeffcoat, age 77, former Wall Street Journal bureau chief, and founding chairman of the much-acclaimed Manhattan Theater Club in New York City, died at his home on Bainbridge Island after a long fight against cancer.

After graduating from Williams College in 1946 and a brief period of naval service, he became a Wall Street Journal foreign correspondent based in London, and served as that publication’s Paris bureau chief from 1954 1955.

Upon his return to the US, he was struck by the lack of opportunities to develop new American stage dramas. He was instrumental in founding the non-profit Manhattan Theater Club in New York City, hired MTC’s current artistic director in 1972, and served as its chairman from 1970-1982.

In addition to producing three Pulitzer-prize winning plays “Crimes of the Heart,” “Piano Lesson,” and “Proof,” and the Tony-award winning musical “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” MTC has been a launching pad for many playwrights including Terrence McNally, Richard Maltby, John Patrick Shanley, Donald Margulies, and Beth Henley, and actors such as Holly Hunter, Kathy Bates, Peter MacNichol, David Hyde-Pierce, and Gillian Anderson.

Following his early career with the Journal, he later served in senior communications positions with IBM and the Ford Motor Company, and was president of his own firm, Jeffcoat, Schoen & Morrell.

He and his family lived in Larchmont, New York for over 20 years. In 1993, he moved to Bainbridge Island and embarked on a second career as an author. His book on the history of American Optimism, “Spirited Americans,” received critical acclaim, and he was working on a second book at the time of his death.

He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Jan of Bainbridge Island, sons Thomas, Peter, John and Ross; daughters Lindsey and Catherine, and four grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held 1:30 p.m. March 15 at Eagle Harbor Congregational Church.

Remembrances may be made in his name to the Manhattan Theater Club, New York, or the Grace Episcopal Church Library Fund, Bainbridge Island.

Arrangements are under the director of Kass Funeral Home.