Arthur Foster Draper Jr.

Obituary of Arthur Foster Draper Jr.

Arthur Foster Draper Jr., known to all as "Port," passed away peacefully on August 5, 2025, at the age of 84 at Bridges Memory Care in Norwalk, CT, where he had lived for the past three years.

Born on October 2, 1941, in Bryn Mawr, PA, to Sarah Hayward and Arthur Foster Draper, Port grew up in Noroton Bay, Darien. He attended Hindley School and New Canaan Country School. Sailing quickly became a central part of his childhood-his parents purchased a 45-foot schooner when he was eight years old, and before long, he was confidently handling every aspect of the boat. With three younger siblings and a busy household, the water became Port's true home.

When the family moved to Pennsylvania for his father's work, Port enrolled at St. George's School in Newport, RI, beginning in eighth grade. He later attended Yale University, graduating with a degree in engineering.

In 1966, a year after graduation, Port married Katharine Whelpley of Darien, whom he had met while at Yale. He began his career with Bechtel Corporation before joining the Louis Lee Company in New Canaan, a builder specializing in residences and private schools. Ten years later, he became the owner. His first job was to engineer and build the Sculpture Gallery for architect Philip Johnson at Johnson's Glass House property in New Canaan-a collaboration that blossomed into a 40-year working relationship and weekly meetings to discuss projects and preservation.

A lifelong sailor, Port shared his passion with his family. He and Kathy cruised and raced together, moving on to larger boats as their family grew. He founded the Wednesday Night Racing Series out of Norwalk Yacht Club more than 40 years ago, served as Commodore, and contributed his expertise to numerous projects on the club's grounds and facilities. Port was also an active member of The Corinthians, a yacht club without a clubhouse, joining at age 24 and participating in more than 40 summer race cruises, many of which he chaired. He later became a member of the Cruising Club of America.

Port was deeply committed to service. He served on the Board of Trustees at St. George's School as Director of Buildings and Grounds, where he helped design the school's ice rink and field house. He was also a longtime board member of the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum in Norwalk, where he consulted on renovations and preservation projects for more than four decades.

Beyond his professional and volunteer commitments, Port was a devoted student of history, architecture, and gardens, traveling widely to pursue his interests. He sailed extensively, from Maine to Bermuda, shadowing the Bermuda Race on solo voyages in his beloved Redwing 30, Kindred. His house is full of racing awards and other achievement awards.

Port will be remembered for his love of the sea, his generosity of spirit, his devotion to his family, and his dedication to preserving history and craftsmanship.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Katharine Draper, their children: Nathan Draper (Tim Burns), Emily Weinberg (Zach), and Katie Beery *(Will), and grandchildren: Izlin, Phoebe, Tyler, and Ethan. He also leaves behind his siblings: Anna Shaw, Hayward Draper, and Sarah Draper, along with extended family and many dear friends.

A memorial service will be held on October 11, 2025, at The United Church of Rowayton at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Lockwood Mathews Museum in Norwalk in Port's memory.