Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
Donald Diffendorf Obituary
Windsor: Donald J. Diffendorf, Sr., 83, passed away on April 21, 2012. He was predeceased by his parents, Marchie and Beatrice Diffendorf; and sisters, Betty Jean and Shirley Louise Diffendorf. He is survived by his loving wife, Shirley; his children, Sharon Murray, Susan and James Brigham, Beatrice and Timothy Goff, Margaret and David Pitel, Donald Diffendorf Jr. and Michelene, and Steven Diffendorf; 9 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren; stepchildren, Susan and Michael Agati, James and Kerry Bopp; 3 step-grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law, William (Sr.) and Dorothy Diffendorf; sisters, Doris Hedges, Beverly Rounds, Betty Lou Kelly, and Virginia Pompeii; and several nieces and nephews; his pets, Mackenzie and Andre. He was the owner of Diffendorf Trucking. Don was a well-known modified race car driver (Grey Fox) competing in races all up and down the East Coast with his famous S/360, having won many races and earned countless achievements on dirt and asphalt tracks. He enjoyed his trips to Tioga Downs and Mohegan Sun. In lieu of flowers, those wishing may make a memorial contribution to the American Cancer Society in his name. A private memorial service will be held at the Towers of Memories, Vestal Hills Cemetery, at the convenience of the family.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Donald Diffendorf
susie& jim brigham
May 21, 2012
dear dad, tomorrow will be a month that you have passed.you are missed! you are loved! oh thank god for our memories! as you rest in peace, you will be in our hearts forever! love susie jim and famliy
Beth Ann Manculich (Manny)
May 2, 2012
I had the pleassure of meeting Don at my dad's funeral Richard Manny. Don was a great race car driver. My thoughts and prayers go out.
Bob Adams
April 29, 2012
Rest in peace Diffie,you were a true gentleman and Champion.
Judi Bryant & Bob Snyder
April 28, 2012
Sherry and family. Please accept our deepest condolences. May the many wonderful memories of Don that you hold dear, help comfort and sustain you during this very sad and difficult time.
April 28, 2012
Our thoughts and prayers will be with you all at this most difficult time. Cherish every wonderful memory that you have of an amazing man! He left us all with memories that will last a lifetime!
Bill and Tina Zacharias and Family
April 28, 2012
Dear Shirley and family, we are so sorry to hear about Don. He was a great guy and good neighbor. Our sincere condolences and prayers go out to you and your family . May Don rest in peace. Dave & Kandi Desimone
JANE McGinley Bernier
April 28, 2012
So sorry for your loss, it is never easy to loose your Dad!
LARENE BARTON
April 28, 2012
TO THE CHILDREN OF DIFFIE & JEANNETTE,
SO SORRY TO HEAR OF THE PASSING OF YOUR DAD "DIFFIE".
WE WERE FRIENDS A LONG TIME AGO BACK IN THE 60'S. WENT TO ALOT OF TRACKS WHERE DIFFIE WAS RACING;READING, LANGHORNE AND OTHERS. PLEASE ACCEPT OUR CONDOLENCES AND GODS BLESSING.
HE WAS A TRUE GENTLEMAN.
YOUR MOM AND DAD ARE NOW AT PEACE.
BUTCH (RACECAR #57), LORI BARTON AND FAMILY
Richard Stram
April 28, 2012
Sorry for you loss.
Sincerely,
Dr Stram
April 28, 2012
SHIRLEY, TO YOU AND YOURS,MEMORIES NEVER DIE !THEY ARE GATHERING,WHAT A RACE IT WILL BE !THEY MUST BE SO EXCITED,NO MORE PAIN JUST HAPPINESS ! LOVE YA,MAXINE
Judy Smith
April 27, 2012
Shirley, Sherry, Bea, Sue, Peggy, Don, & Steve I was very saddened to here of your loss. Don was a kind, gentle man who was sincere with his words. He is now a peaceful Angel watching over all of you!
Peace and Prayers
April 27, 2012
Shirley, so sorry to hear of Don's passing.I will always remember as a kind and sweet gentleman. Loved him dearly. Olive Todd in Ohio.
Sharon Gingrich (Ulrich)
April 27, 2012
My heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the Diffendorf family. Don: May you Rest In Peace and be reunited now with my dad (Ben Ulrich) in heaven who was a very good friend of yours many years ago in West Windsor. May you and my dad race those cars in heaven like the good old days!
Tim Van Vorce
April 27, 2012
Shirley & family,
I was so sorry to hear of Don's passing. I always enjoyed visiting with him when he was hauling materials to the garage.
Tim Van Vorce
Eugene Johnson
April 27, 2012
Sherrie and all the Diffendorf family. My deepest sympathy to you in the passing of Don. May you find strength and comfort in the great memories you all have.
Gene Johnson
The J Guernsey's
April 27, 2012
We are so sorry to learn of the passing of Don. We will always remember the things he did for the 5J Race Team. Our sincere sympathy to all of the Diffendorf family.
cathy holden
April 27, 2012
To the Diffendorf family, my condolences. I will always remember him stop by Matlack to see my dad (Charles Holden). and when dad was in hospital him and his son would come see him. I'm sorry for your loss. You all will be in my prayers. Cathy Holden
nancy owen
April 27, 2012
To the Diffendorf family
Loving wishes to each of you.nancy ellis owen
Kimberly Knickerbocker-Musgrove
April 27, 2012
Shirley and family
I am sorry for your loss. I have the fondest memories from Shangri-la to when Don and my father (Larry Knickerbocker) bought their big rigs. Our condolences to you, you are in our thoughts and prayers.
April 27, 2012
Dear Shirley, My sympathy is with you.. The race track in Heaven is getting another good man !!!
Nancy Page Boynton Beach Fl.
Debbie Hill(Gardner)
April 27, 2012
My condolences to all the family. May your memories live on and on.
Philip D'Angelo
April 27, 2012
Dear Family,
I am so very sorry to hear of Don's passing. We go back a long time. He was a great guy and will be missed. My prayers are with you all.
Jeff and Marty Broad
April 27, 2012
Shirley and family, we are so sorry to hear of the loss of your husband and father. Our thoughts are with you and your families.
Ed & Barbara Evans
April 27, 2012
Our deepest sympathy and condolences on your loss. May all the fond memories you share help comfort you during this time.
Dennis Kasabian
April 27, 2012
To the Diffendorf family, my condolences. I will always remember the big guy that took the time to talk to a young kid ( me ) and autograph a picture of himself and the S360 modified race car. I still have and cherrish that picture... What a race heaven will have with him, Dutch, Zopp
Thanks Diff
Sandra & Tom Smith
April 26, 2012
Like many others I remember Uncle Don for his racing and winning but my fondest memory is riding in his stock car. One night at Five Mile Point they allowed kids to ride in the cars. Our family waited in line to ride with Uncle Don, he made it quite a ride and it has never been forgotten. Another memory is the Edsel that he bought, brand new. I think he took a lot of harassing over the years about that car. Other wonderful memories of the great times at Lakeside and finally, the wonderful relationship between Bill, my Dad, and his brother Don.
April 26, 2012
Shirley: My thoughts and prayers are with you! You did an amazing job Shirley. Very sorry about Donald. Mary Mancini RN
Cullen (Pitel) Family
April 26, 2012
Dear Peg,Bea,Sherry,Sue,Don Jr and Steve,
We are so sorry to hear of the loss of your Dad. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families.
Love,
Diane, Bill & John
R Wright
April 26, 2012
Great driver. He will be missed.
Don Beagell Jr
April 26, 2012
Our prayers go out to the entire Diffendorf family, we wiil all miss Diff.
his dynamic racing and his freindly smile
God Bless you
Billie Jo Signs Wheeland
April 26, 2012
I am sorry to hear of the passing of Don, I watched him race since I was a little girl, most of my memories are at SHANGRILA, the orignal track, Don is a legend. Prayers to all his family at this time of such a loss.
Billie Jo Signs Wheeland
Keith & Cherie Abbott
April 26, 2012
To the Diffendorf family,
Our deepest condolences. Don was without a doubt one of my biggest boyhood heros, from 5 Mile Point to Langhorne. He will be missed greatly.
Beth Butchko
April 26, 2012
Sherry,Sue,Bea,Peggy,Don and Steve,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your families. May God wrap his loving arms around you, helping you through this difficult time.
Brian Baker
April 26, 2012
My condolences to Don's family and friends. Don was one of the greatest stock car drivers I ever saw and was the true embodiment of sportsmanship both on and off the track. Godspeed, Don.
Darryl White
April 26, 2012
Bless you all in your time of loss. I loved watching the S/360, not just because of the talent, but also the sportsmanship of Don.
George Bogart
April 26, 2012
To Shirley , Family -&- Friends
Sending You thoughts and prayers and
deepest condolences at this time of
such great loss.
Remembering Don as such a Great Man
and Modified Stock Car Racing Legend.
May He Rest In Peace.
George Buzzie Bogart
North Merrick,Long Island - New York
Marchie Diffendorf
April 26, 2012
Uncle Don, As you make your final lap, the checkered flag will be waiving for you. You have been and will always be our hero. Gayle and I will always cherish the memories of the S/360 charging to the front of the pack.
Debbie and Kevin Prokop
April 26, 2012
Bea and Tim, So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Debbie and Kevin Prokop (Binghamton, NY)
Joyce Montgomery
April 26, 2012
.Don and family
sorry for your lodd god bless him and his family
Ken&Charlene Vandermark
April 26, 2012
Our thoughts are with you in this time of sorrow ,he will be missed ,he was a great individual
April 26, 2012
Rest, Don..God Bless You.
Wally Bell
Sheila Corson
April 26, 2012
Sue and Jim,
Our deepest sympathy in the loss of your father. Thinking of you
Ben & Sheila
RoseMarie Rullo
April 26, 2012
To Shirley & family,
I am so saddened by the loss of your precious husband, Don. I know you both had a beautiful life together, which makes his passing an even greater loss. Your heartache is great, but rest in the assurance that he is now at peace.
I pray for tranquility in your soul!
My Love & Blessings to you, Shirley & your family!!
RoseMarie Rullo
Gayle and Marchie Diffendorf
April 26, 2012
Uncle Don, as you take your final lap the checkered flag is waving for you. You have been and always will my hero. Gayle and I will never forget watching the S/360 charging to the front. Thanks for the memories.
Chris Getter
April 26, 2012
My deepest sympathy to Shirley and the family.May the Lord comfort you and give you peace.Don will be missed by all of us here at Cooks.
April 26, 2012
Our sincere condolences to the Diffendorf family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Bill and Maureen Kniffen
Roy Studer
April 26, 2012
My condolence to the Diffendorf family Don was a fine person and always had a hello a wave or a smeile
Steve Tennant
April 26, 2012
I am sorry for the family's loss. I am greatful to have met this fine person. Thank you Diff for all the great memories.
"Itchy" Mead
April 26, 2012
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
Jim &Sue Brigham
April 26, 2012
Dear Dad, sending our love and keeping our wonderful memories.. May you rest in peace, no more pain. Until we meet again.We love you! Jim&Sue and Family
Jim and Sharon Hickey
April 26, 2012
Condolences from the Jim Hickey family. Many are the Saturday nights in Owego we cheered on Diffie. So popular was he in our family that when we asked our then 4 year old daughter (she is now 40) how her milk was spilled, she replied "Diffie did it". To this day, poor Diffie is still blamed for the unexplainable. Rest in peace, Mr. Diffendorf, you will be fondly remembered.
Jim and Sharon Hickey
Showing 1 - 51 of 51 results
Make a Donation
in Donald Diffendorf's name
Please consider a donation as requested by the family.
Memorial Events
for Donald Diffendorf
How to support Donald's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Donald Diffendorf's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
