Dr. J. Blair Harff

April 20, 2008

Watertown – Dr. J. Blair Harff, 46, of 26151 Co. Rte. 160, died Sunday morning after a farming accident at his home. Born April 13th, 1962, in New York City, he graduated from Colgate University in 1984 and in 1988 received a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. In 1998, together with his wife, Nina, also a graduate of Cornell University, he opened The Animal Doctors Veterinary Clinic after a previous association with the Watertown Animal Hospital.

Besides his love for gardening, animals, hunting and the outdoors Blair shared a passion for hockey and for helping the children of the Watertown Community achieve their potential. Blair saw the game of hockey both as a means of fostering respect for others and as a tool for teaching team spirit and service to others.

Together with the YMCA Blair was instrumental in developing the highly successful Youth Hockey Learn to Skate Program which gave any child who might desire to learn hockey an introduction to the sport regardless of previous experience or individual talent.

Blair also enjoyed coaching youth hockey. He served as President of the Watertown Hockey Association from 2004 until this year and had been recently elected to serve a second term on the board of directors for three years.

He is survived by his wife, Nina Harff, D.V.M., their three children, Scott, Kayla and Ben, Watertown, his parents, Marion and Charles Harff , Pittsburgh, Pa., his sister and brother-in-law Pam and Bob Daufenbach, also of Pittsburgh, his brother and sister-in-law Todd and Judy Harff, Barrington, R.I. and their children, April and Amy. He is also survived by his uncle and aunt, George and Noreen Harff, Albany and their three children.

A celebration of Blair’s life will be held at the couple’s home on Co. Rte. 160 this Thursday afternoon from 4 -6 pm. All those who would like to pay their respects to the family are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Watertown Hockey Association, PO Box 371, Watertown, NY 13601. The money will be used for future ice improvements, additions and youth hockey programs.

Arrangements are with the Reed & Benoit Funeral Home.