Frederic O. Defeis

On Thursday December 20th Frederic Orfeo/Orpheus DeFeis passed away at his home at the age of 92.

Frederic was a theatre producer, director, actor, Dramatic Arts and English Educator; born January 6, 1926 to Peter/Patsy and Maria Louise (Trimarco) DeFeis, married Carmela Sant Ann Sacco on September 11, 1948…children: Doreen, Danae, Damon, David. Received his BA from Brooklyn College 1947; his MFA from Fordham University 1951; postdoctoral, Hofstra University 1962-65. Teacher, & Theatre Director, at Iona College, in New Rochelle, New York from 1947-50, and Duquesne University Pittsburg, Pennsylvania from 1950-52; Teacher of Speech and Drama for the Board Of Education in New York City from 1952-57, and he was a Drama and English teacher at Seaford High School from 1957 until retiring in 1980.
Drama was the guiding passion of Frederic’s life, inspiring him to found the Arena Players Theatre in Brooklyn in 1951. With this Company he performed in Library’s, Schools & Parks all across Long Island even settling from 1959-63, into Idlewild Airport with his “Theatre In The Skies” on the 6th Floor of the control tower…this airport is now known as JFK International Airport. With Arena he held a long residency at the Deer Park Library from (1963 until 1972), until finally finding a permanent home at 296 Route 109 in East Farmingdale in 1972.

His Arena Theatre in East Farmingdale was an inspiration a dramatic beacon and quickly became a successful mainstay of the Island’s entertainment scene until 2011 when Frederic closed the doors at that location and moved into the Carriage House at the Vanderbilt Museum in Centerport, where for over 25 years he had also directed the Summer Shakespeare Seasons in the Courtyard.
Frederic was a Renaissance man who sang, played a bit of piano wrote poetry and two plays A SHADOW OF FEAR in 1968 and THE MOTEL in 1970.

Mr. DeFeis ‘ daughter Doreen, son in law Jim, daughter Danae, his son David, daughter in law Lisa, grandchildren Frank, (Lauren), Christie, (Jason) and great grandchildren Brixton, Cristiana & Riot survive him. He will be reposing at Mangano Funeral Home 1701 Deer Park Avenue, Deer Park, NY 11729. Viewing on December 27th…
With Funeral Services held at Saint Charles Cemetery on December 28th.