John "Nuff" Rey

Nuff Rey, 94 passed away October 4th, 2016.  When he was a young child, his mother recognized his love of music and went out and scrubbed floors for $.25 to buy him his first guitar.  At the age of 13, he was in a band called the Rhythm Rascals and ended up being an accomplished jazz musician with his own band – "The Nuff Rey Combo;" which was well-known in the Akron area.  He taught guitar to many students from ages 8-80 privately and for Kent State.

He joined the armed forces, became a pilot and flew a B-26 during WWII.  He was shot down over Germany and was a prisoner of war (POW) for 6 months. While he was a POW, the Red Cross sent him a guitar and he entertained the other prisoners.  After the war was over, he married and had two children. Nuff attended the Cleveland Institute of Art and had a 34-year career as an illustrator-artist at Goodyear Aerospace.  He was a talented watercolor artist and a member of the "Whisky Painters of America" association.  He taught his children art and music and was the best father ever!  He was a kind man who was loved by all and will live on in our hearts forever.  Congratulations Dad, Husband, Grandfather, Great-grandfather, Cousin, Uncle, and Friend for a full and joyous life that touched so many people.

Special thanks to Eileen and Dan at "Eileen's Assisted Living" for taking such good care of him and making him comfortable during the last months of his life.

Nuff is preceded in death by his parents Rosa and Carmelo, and his brother Joseph.  He is survived by his wife Corinne, daughter Carole (Tim) Weber, son Jim (Marcie) Rey, grandsons (Jimmy and David) Rey, great-grandchildren (Lance, Allison, Jason) Rey.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, October 16th at the Pilgrim United Church of Christ, 130 Broad Boulevard, Cuyahoga Falls, OH (330) 928-4847.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the "SAVE THE STEEPLE" fund at Pilgrim United Church of Christ. (www.pilgrimcf.org)