Raphael J. "Buzz" Blevins

Raphael “Buzz” Blevins, 82, longtime resident of Seneca Falls, passed at Geneva General Hospital on Saturday, March 29th, 2025. Calling hours will be held on Monday, April 7th from 4 – 6 PM, with a funeral service to immediately follow at Doran Funeral Home, 4 East Bayard St., Seneca Falls. Burial, with full military honors, will be held on Tuesday, April 8th at 11 AM at New York State Veterans Cemetery – Finger Lakes. Donations in memory may be directed to Disabled American Veterans at Dav.org.

Buzz was born in Browning, MT, and grew up on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. He was born the only son of the late Raphael D. and Pauline (Henderson) Blevins. Buzz graduated from Browning High School and in 1963 he joined the US Army. He served in three different tours of Vietnam before being discharged in 1976. Not long after his discharge, Buzz returned stateside, where he relocated to Seneca Falls to start civilian life. It was here he would meet, fall in love, and marry the love of his life, Patricia (Van Cleef) Blevins. The couple was married on February 20th, 1988. Buzz ended up working for the Seneca Army Depot for a few years before finding employment with the Army Corps of Engineers in Whitney Point, tending to the dam at the Whitney Point Reservoir, and retiring after 22 years.

Buzz was a man who enjoyed learning and sharing his knowledge with those around him. He was a longtime member of the Kirk Casey American Legion Post 366 in Seneca Falls, in which he was very involved. He previously held titles of Post Commander, Historian, and Treasurer, and was the district Historian for the American Legion 7th District for years. Outside of his involvement with the Legion, and spending time with his family, Buzz loved to read, tinker around the house, and enjoyed keeping his lawn looking it’s best.

Buzz is survived by his dearest bride, Patricia; sons, Nicolas (Margaret), Jordan, and Aden Blevins, Derek and Adam (Colleen) Olschewske; daughters, Jodee Dorrough, Michaela (Matthew Vincent), Jenae, Ashley (Aaron Ryrko), and Onie Blevins; 25 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; sisters, Dorothy Clark and Palma Coatney; and nieces, nephews, and extended family.