Arthur William DeFrank

1921 - 2016

Arthur William DeFrank obituary, 1921-2016, Madison, CT

BORN

1921

DIED

2016

FUNERAL HOME

Swan Funeral Home

825 Boston Post Road

Madison, Connecticut

Arthur DeFrank Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jul. 29, 2016.

Arthur William DeFrank, of Madison and formerly of Orange, died peacefully on July 29, 2016, at his home.

He was born on August 17, 1921, in New Haven, the youngest child of Joseph and Cesira DeFrank. He was predeceased by his siblings Anthony, Vera, Harry, Alfred, Clara, Edie, Peter, and Ernest.

He was the widower of Elizabeth Thompson DeFrank, formerly of Orange, Hamden, and New Haven.

Arthur was a veteran of World War II, serving in the United States Navy in the Pacific Theater aboard the Light Cruiser USS Denver. He was employed for many years at both Grand Light and Olive Electric. Art was very involved with the Orange Little League and with the youth hockey programs in both New Haven and Orange. He was also a member of the Madison Sailing Club, and an active volunteer at Act II Thrift Shop in Madison. Throughout his life he had an avid interest in the arts- plays, music, particularly opera and dancing.

He is survived by his children Anne Liddell of Newton, MA, Christopher and his wife Diane of Wrentham, MA, and Peter and his wife Susan of Clinton, CT; six grandchildren, Elizabeth and Rebecca Liddell, Madeline, Grace, Daniel, and Jennifer DeFrank; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday August 15th at 10am in Holy Infant Church, 450 Racebrook Rd., Orange, CT. A private burial will follow in Orange Center Cemetery. To sign the online guest book visit www.swanfuneralhomemadison.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

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December 16, 2017

Friend

Sara Billings

I am so sorry I missed being there for Arthur when he passed. We go back a long way from the Woodbridge JCC. I was his group fitness instructor for cardiac rehab. He always was in great spirits to exercise and brought smile to everyone's face. We had a lot fun and a lot of laughs while exercising. Our families vacationed in the same town in Maine and we he invited my family to stay in his home. Since my sister in law and family lived in Madison I tried my best to stop by and say hi. He was always a gentleman and wonderful to spend time with. I will truly miss him.

August 19, 2016

Dee Johnson

Posted by Dee Johnson

August 18, 2016

Mary Maloy

I am hoping that someone might have a picture of Art that you would be willing to send to me. I would be so, so grateful!
Mary Maloy
400 Mansfield St
New Haven, CT. 06511

August 17, 2016

We missed Art over the last few weeks...he was a regular at Savvy Tea in Madison. We opened Savvy Tea in 2008 and when he first came in, we thought he was a regular tea drinker - turns out he started drinking tea with us! I think he looked forward to getting out and being around people. He drank his Earl Grey tea at the counter and we thoroughly enjoyed his stories and special moments in his life. He reminded me so much of my father...always a gentlemen, well dressed...and we loved hearing about his beloved home in Maine, sports, the theater, and his family and children. He told us about the Hurricane of '38 and what happened along the shoreline during that storm. We looked up history on the USS Denver together. We looked forward to seeing him a few times each week, always marveling how healthy & mobile he was and that he continued to drive! We extend our condolences to his family and want them to know how he is truly missed by our customers and most of all, us. ~ Judy & Phil Parda (Killingworth, CT)

August 13, 2016

Dave Allen

Such a kind and gentle man. We were neighbors at Legend Hill but then, sadly, lost touch.
He always greeted you with a kind smile and he will be missed.


Dave Allen

August 8, 2016

I met Art DeFrank through our activities at the Madison ABC Thrift Shop - Act II. He was a truly decent gentleman - one we need more of - and we miss him. He set a great example for us through his personal daily behavior. John Tyler Delemarre, LTC (Retired), USA and Elizabeth Brownell Delemarre

August 5, 2016

So sorry to hear about the loss of Arthur. I was his computer tech. Through the years of being with him and helping him with e-mail and surfing the web, we became friends. After any given lesson, we would sit in his living room and chat about music, technology, restaurants, his children and grandchildren, life and relationships. I'll miss my sweet, gentle friend.

Jo-Ann Fleischman, Madison CT

August 5, 2016

Tim and Kate Crowley

We will always remember taking Art and family sailing on one of our trips to Maine. He was a special, gentle man. We are sorry for your loss.

August 4, 2016

Dear Christopher and family,
I am so deeply saddened to hear about your Dads passing. I remember the first time I met him coming out of church. He was so sweet. Keep him ever present with your memories. Those, noone, can take from you.
Thinking of you
Linda Tomei

August 4, 2016

Case Snow

The passing of Arthur William DeFrank has touched everyone here at Case Snow Management, because his son Peter has been an integral part of our team for two years and counting. We will keep the DeFrank family in our thoughts and our prayers, while the life that Arthur led was absolutely inspiring to read about.

-Everyone at Case Snow Management

August 4, 2016

Mary Skipp Phillips Winter

Deepest sympathy on the loss of Art. Art and I are the last survivors of the 8 Belle Group. Betty, his late wife, and her sister Virginia Milord, were members too. He was a loyal man who will be missed. Sorry to miss his funeral as I will be out of town. Mary Skipp Phillips Winter

August 4, 2016

Dee Johnson

I am here in Germany and so sorry to hear of my friend Art's passing. We've been buds since 1997 when he took me under his wing when I first joined the Shoreline Sailing Club. We enjoyed many breakfasts, dinners, and golf games together. I'll always remember the weekend four of us went to his great house in Maine and enjoyed eating lobsters and sitting around the fire pit before it became fashionable to do so. We walked the adjacent field where Andrew Wyeth painted the famous "Christina". I will miss you my friend. To Art's family: " please know his friends share in your sorrow."

August 3, 2016

Pete, Sue and family - so very sorry for your loss - Ed Borrelli Jr

August 3, 2016

Judith Stigle

Anne, Chris and Peter- I was so saddened to hear about Art. He was a special man and friend ,and neighbor at Legend Hill and I will remember our Sunday breakfasts which we shared for over 25 years. He spoke with great love about you all and his grandchildren and I was fortunate to meet you on your visits. And what a twinkle toes he was on the dance floor!
I moved to Florida 3 years ago and thought of him often. I send my sincere condolences to you all. God Bless Him.

August 3, 2016

mary maloy

I loved this handsome,sophisticated, polite gentleman, Art DeFrank. Met him many years ago at my cooking school. I feel very sad after reading today's announcement. Sending warm thoughts to his family and friends. So, so sorry.

Mary Maloy

August 3, 2016

Sharon Clark

Pete, Susie, Jen, and the entire DeFrank Family - our deepest sympathy for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the entire family during this difficult time.

Brian & Sharon Clark and Family - Clinton, CT

August 2, 2016

Anne, Chris and Peter- I was so saddened to hear about Art. He was a special friend and neighbor at Legend Hill and I will remember our Sunday breakfasts which we shared for over 25 years. He spoke with great love about you all plus his grandchildren and I was fortunate to meet you on your visits. And what a twinkle toes on the dance floor.
I moved to Florida 3 years ago and thought of him often. I send

August 1, 2016

Dear Anne, Chris and Peter. Altho you haven't met me, I feel as tho I have met you having known Art for over 50 years. We attended many of the Shoreline Sailing activities and dances together. We had mutual friends. I have enjoyed having dinner with Art and attending many movies and a few operas.

To sum it up, Art was one of the nicest gentlemen I have ever known. He was courteous to everyone. He took myself and 3 other girls to his camp in Maine
and we had a wonderful weekend .Art was always loyal to all his men and women friends and I will miss him very much but I am happy to have him for such a nice friend for so long.

Please accept my sincere sympathy on the loss of your father and the childrens' grandfather. Fondly, Joan Miller
http://www.legacy.com/guestbook/DignityMemorial/guestbook.aspx?pid=180837841

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Memorial Events
for Arthur DeFrank

Aug

15

Mass of Christian Burial

10:00 a.m.

Holy Infant Church

450 Racebrook Rd., Orange, CT

Aug

15

Burial

Orange Center Cemetery

CT

Funeral services provided by:

Swan Funeral Home

825 Boston Post Road, Madison, CT 06443

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