April 22, 2008      

WATERTOWN, N.Y.  —  Dr. J. Blair Harff, 46, of 26151 County Route 160, died Sunday morning after a farming accident at his home. 

Born April 13, 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, Mr. Harff 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, Mr. Harff was instrumental in developing the highly successful Youth Hockey Learn to Skate Program which gave any child who might desire to learn about hockey an introduction to the sport regardless of previous experience or individual talent.

Mr. Harff 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.

Surviving are his wife, Nina Harff, D.V.M., their three children, Scott, Kayla and Ben, Watertown, his parents, Marion and Charles Harff, Pittsburgh, Pa.; a sister and her husband Pam and Bob Daufenbach, Pittsburgh; a brother and his wife,Todd and Judy Harff, Barrington, R.I. and their children, April and Amy; an uncle and aunt, George and Noreen Harff, Albany, and their three children.

A celebration of Mr. Harff's life will be held at the couple’s home on County Route 160 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, April 24. All those who would like to pay their respects to the family are welcome. 

Instead of flowers, contributions may be made to the Watertown Hockey Association, P.O. Box 371, Watertown, N.Y. 13601.  The money will be used for future ice improvements, additions and youth hockey programs. 

Arrangements are with the Reed & Benoit Funeral Home.

 



Information provided by Reed and Benoit Funeral Home and Newzjunky, Watertown, N.Y.