Sherman Brayton Durfee, 90, of Bedford

Sherman Brayton Durfee of Bedford, NY died peacefully on May 6, 2026 in Vero Beach, FL at the age of 90. Born in Fall River, MA, he was the son of the late Ruth Brayton Durfee and Nathan Barry Durfee. Sherman spent his early years in Providence, R.I., with summers down the coast in Little Compton. He graduated from The Westminster School and Yale University in 1958, where he was a member of Wolf's Head Society and the a capp

ella singing group the Whiffenpoofs. After college, he served in the Marine Corps as a first lieutenant. In 1962 he married Beulah (Bzee) Woolston, in NYC. They first lived in Cleveland, OH where they developed lifelong friendships and started a family. Sherman began his commercial real estate career at William Pitt in Stamford, CT. With his entrepreneurial spirit, he started SB Durfee & Co, which helped to transform Fairfield County from a commuter town to a commercial powerhouse. A life-long sportsman and golfer, Sherman was a fixture at the Bedford Golf and Tennis Club, winning the golf and paddle tennis club championships multiple times. With his fine tenor voice, he participated in Whiffenpoof alumni gatherings across the country well into his eighties.

As a father, Sherman is remembered for teaching his children fishing and skiing. On summer nights in Fishers Island and Little Compton, he could always be found in his center console boat fishing with his sons and nephews for blue fish and striped bass. He had a mastery of the waters, and he was greeted with glee returning with catches that were prepared for dinner by his mother-in-law Dippy Bartow. He was a talented skier, spending time at Sugarbush VT with friends during his early adult years, and went on to teach his children at Bromley Mountain in VT, memories they hold dearly. He ran the NYC marathon 3 times and took great pride in this endeavor. Sherman was a man of unique character, a gentleman, loyal to his family, and with an immense sense of fun and adventure. Sherman was predeceased by his son Christopher and a brother Jay Durfee. He leaves behind his wife of 64 years, Bzee, daughter Elizabeth Howard and son Sherman (Beanie) and four grandchildren. Also surviving is his brother, Allison Durfee.