There will be a graveside committal service for Mr. Otis (Nick) N. Reff Jr., 64, on Friday at 11am at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Clayton with Reverend Cheryl Gmitter of Faith Fellowship Church in Dexter officiating. Calling hours will be from 2-4 and 6-9 Thursday at the T.R. Jetty Funeral Home in Clayton.
Nick was born July 8th, 1947 in Watertown the son of Otis N. and Dorothy MacDonald Reff Sr. He graduated from Clayton High School in 1966. On June 29th, 1966 he married the former Jo-Ann Marceau at St. Mary’s Church with Monsignor Dennis Lynch officiating.
Nick entered the Watertown Police Force July 8th, 1973. He worked in various positions while there and later becoming Chief of Police, retiring July 7th, 2005.
He enjoyed working on his 1938 Studebaker and taking it to car shows. Nick was a member of the Highway Legends Car Club, the Watertown Elks Club and the Clayton American Legion Colon Couch Post 821 Sons. He was past president of the Jefferson County Mental Health Association.
Surviving besides his wife (46 years on Friday), are a son Nick III and his fiancé Ling Lin of Brooklyn and his children Cearuh, Jordan, Caleigh and Sidney; another son Joseph and Michelle of Adams Center and their children Benjamin and JayCee; One daughter Sharon and her husband David Marsala of Brownville and their children Ashleigh, Maryssa, Antonia and Mason; A son Adam and his wife Charyl of Dexter and their children Cori and Aidan; One great-grandchild Makinsey; two sisters and their husbands, Bonnie and Gerald Higgins of Cape Vincent and Renee and Steve Miranda of Rome; Aunts and uncles; nieces and nephews; and great-aunts.
He was pre-deceased by a son Paul, who died in 1970 at the age of 2 and a half.
Donations can be made to the Believe in Ben Foundation, c/o The Galisano Children’s Hospital, One Children’s Circle, Syracuse, NY 13210.
Condolences may be made at trjettyfuneralhomeinc.com.
