Dr. J. Blair Harff
Watertown, N.Y. resident

Dr. J. Blair Harff, son of Marion and Charles Harff of Sewickley, died April 20, 2008, while working heavy equipment on his beloved farm in Watertown, N.Y.

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.

He and his wife, Nina, also a graduate of Cornell, opened the Animal Doctors' Veterinary Clinic in Watertown, where they collaboratively treated both large and small animals.

His avocation was his farm, where he raised cattle and other animals and had extensive gardens. In addition to his love for gardening, animals, hunting and the outdoors, Dr. Harff shared a passion for hockey and helping the children of the Watertown community achieve their potential.

Together with the YMCA, he was instrumental in developing the highly successful Youth Hockey Learn to Skate Program that gave any child who desired to learn about hockey an introduction to the sport regardless of experience, individual talent or economic resources.

He not only coached youth hockey but also served as president of the Watertown Hockey Association from 2004 until 2008 and as a vice president of the New York State Amateur Hockey Association, Northern Zone.

Along with his parents, he is survived by his wife and their three children, Scott, Kayla and Ben; a sister and her husband, Pamela and Bob Daufenbach of Pittsburgh; a brother and his wife, Todd and Judy, of Barrington, R.I., and their children, April and Amy; and an uncle and aunt, Dr. George and Noreen Harff, of Albany, and their three children.

Contributions may be made to the Watertown Hockey Association, designated to the Blair Harff Memorial Fund, P. O. Box 371, Watertown, NY 13601.

Dr. Harff's friends hope to carry out his goal of providing a year-round ice rink to serve the children of the community.

Reed Benoit Funeral Home of Watertown made the arrangements.

Patricia Van Bree Hough
Formerly of Sewickley

Patricia Van Bree Hough, 80, died April 28, 2008 in Florida.

She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Thornton Hough; two daughters, Chris-tine Asher and Heather Hough; and two grandsons, Peter and Christopher Asher. Mrs. Hough was born in Buffalo, N.Y. She then moved to Greenwich, Conn., where she grew up, attended Green-wich Academy and Goucher College, and graduated from University of Vermont.

After marriage, the couple moved to Bryn Mawr, Pa., and later to Sewickley.

A graveside service was held at the Palm Cemetery in Florida.

Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1601 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL 32804. Careyhand Cox-Parker Funeral Home of Winter Park, Fla., made the arrangements.

Peter Allen Mendicino
1976 Quaker Valley grad

Peter Allen Mendicino, 50, of Sewickley, died on May 4, 2008.

He was the son of Betty Maruna Mendicino of Sewick-ley and the late Patrick "Banjo" Mendicino, and the brother of Patrick Mendicino Jr., also of Sewickley.

Friends will be received at the Richard D. Cole Funeral Home Inc., 328 Beaver St., Sewickley, tomorrow from noon to 2 p.m., where a blessing service will be held.

Interment will follow in Sewickley Cemetery.

A 1976 graduate of Quaker Valley High School, he graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with honors.

An excellent student throughout his life, he was enrolled in the Shadyside Nursing School.

Mr. Mendicino was fond of animals, especially cats, and always took care of strays.

In his career, he was employed by the University of Pittsburgh, Duquesne Sys-tems, Legent Corp., Computer Associates, Transarc, IBM and, most recently at UPMC-Presbyterian.

While a student and after graduating from the University of Pittsburgh, he dedicated his life to community service and volunteer networks, especially PALS of Pittsburgh. When funds were terminated at that organization, he supported the group on his own for 10 years.

Mr. Mendicino also donated 60 pints of blood to various blood banks, giving life to those in need.

He was admired and lover by those who knew him, and he will be sadly missed.