Robert F. DeForest Jr, 82 of Manlius, NY passed away Tuesday, January 23, 2018 in his home in Fort Myers Florida. 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) and Catharine L. DeForest (Benjamin G. Taylor); 6 grandchildren; and his sister Marcia DeForest Zinserling (Jack Zinserling).

Born in Albany, NY, August 8th, 1935, he was the son of Robert DeForest and Irene (Murray) DeForest. He attended Bethlehem Central School in Delmar, NY 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 Calvary Regiment, 1st Calvary Division and served in Korea and Japan in 1957 & 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 motor cycle 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 on Friday, February 2nd from 4 to 7pm at Newell-Fay Manlius Chapel, 8171 Cazenovia Rd in Manlius. The funeral will be held on Saturday, February 3rd at 10:30am at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church on Mill St. in Cazenovia with a reception to follow. Burial will be on Monday, February 5th at Bethlehem Cemetery in Delmar, NY at 1pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Peter’s Church, 10 Mill St., Cazenovia.