Robert F. DeForest, Jr., 82, of Manlius, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018, in his home in Fort Myers, Fla. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Judy (Jutta M. Besemann) DeForest, his three loving children Robert F. DeForest III (Jennifer Haines DeForest) Carolyn DeForest Schefter (Philip E. Schefter), Catharine L. DeForest (Benjamin G. Taylor), six grandchildren, and his sister, Marcia DeForest Zinserling (Jack Zinserling).
Born in Albany, NY, Aug. 8, 1935, he was the son of Robert DeForest and Irene (Murray) DeForest. He attended Bethlehem Central School in Delmar, N.Y., and went on to graduate from Syracuse University with a degree in business in 1960. Bob was a veteran of the United States Army’s 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Calvary Division and served in Korea and Japan in 1957 and 1958.
In 1964 Bob began a career in home building and in 1972 founded Cordelle Development Corporation, a home building company in Manlius, responsible for hundreds of homes throughout the Central New York area. He was president of the CNY Home Builders & Remodelers Association in 1978 and was responsible for the construction of the Association’s headquarters on James Street in Syracuse in 1979. Anyone who knew Bob knew that Home building and working with people were some of his greatest passions. His son, Bob DeForest III, will continue his father’s legacy at Cordelle. St Peter’s Episcopal Church in Cazenovia was a place dear to Bob. He and Judy have been active members at St Peter’s since 1965, Bob serving as junior and senior warden in past years.
In his younger years Bob led a very active and full life. He enjoyed motorcycle enduro racing in the mountains of New Hampshire, snowmobiling through the hills of Cazenovia and, as an avid car enthusiast, had many trophies for drag racing with his 1968 Plymouth GTX Hemi. He was truly someone great, and will be deeply missed by his family and friends.
Calling hours will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 2, at Newell-Fay Schepps funeral home on Cazenovia Road in Manlius. The funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 3, at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church on Mill Street in Cazenovia with a reception to follow. Burial will be at 1 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 5, at Bethlehem Cemetery in Delmar, N.Y. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Peter’s church in Cazenovia.