Arthur Ashley Diefendorf, 85, died Nov. 26, 2021, surrounded by his loving family.
Arthur was the son of Ruth L. Arnold Diefendorf and Donald Willis Diefendorf and was born Dec. 29, 1935. Arthur was a graduate of South Kent School in 1953 and of Yale University in 1957 with a degree in philosophy. He was a member of Chi Psi Fraternity.
Arthur graduated from Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI, in 1958, attaining the rank of Lieutenant JG and was honored to serve his country in the United States Navy as a Communications Officer on the USS Interceptor.
Arthur married his childhood sweetheart Georgia Stetson on Nov. 24, 1962. Arthur and the family moved to Cazenovia in 1967 when he joined the third-generation family business Diefendorf Gear Corporation in Syracuse. He served as treasurer and later as president, retiring in 2000.
He was a member of the American Gear Manufacturers Association, Community Foundation of Syracuse, Cazenovia Shakespeare Club, and a charter member of Cazenovia Area Volunteer Ambulance Corps. He also was an active supporter of South Kent School and Yale Alumni Associations, receiving a cultural leadership citation for his contribution to Yale youth music programs.
Arthur was a man of deep faith. He was a member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Cazenovia for many decades, singing in the choir, serving as treasurer for many years and as junior and senior warden.
Arthur’s absolute joy and passion was sailing. His favorite quote was from “The Wind in the Willows” – “There is nothing – absolutely nothing – half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats – simply messing.” Arthur was an honorary life member of Willow Bank Yacht Club, serving as commodore and also mentoring and inspiring many beginning sailors.
He was instrumental in promoting Olympic Finn class racing in Central New York and in the United States. He was a founding member of the Finn Foundation and served as president of the United States of America Finn Association during the high-water mark of the United States Olympic Sailing Program. Arthur sailed competitively throughout the United States and raced in the Finn World Championship Gold Cup in Bermuda.
Arthur also found great joy and inspiration in music and the arts, and in the special trips he took with his Yale classmates. Arthur will also be remembered for his keen insight, “art” of conversation and quick wit as well as his many enduring friendships.
Arthur was predeceased by his parents, Donald and Ruth Diefendorf, and brothers, Donald Laurence and Willis Arnold Diefendorf. He is survived by his beloved family including his wife of 59 years, Georgia, daughter Elizabeth Ashley of Cazenovia, son Donald Stetson (Jennifer) of Westminster, MD, grandchildren Emma Grace and Andrew Stetson of Westminster, MD, brothers Peter Ives (Karen) of Canastota and Andrew Fuller (Linda) of Cincinnati, OH, and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. Contributions can be made to CAVAC, 106 Nelson St. Cazenovia, NY 13035 or Helping Hounds Dog Rescue, 7268 Caswell Avenue, North Syracuse, NY 13212. “Fair Winds and Following Seas.”
