Spr Osborne Ross “Sonny” Totten (Ret’d)

We regret to advise of the death of Sapper Osborne Ross “Sonny” Totten (Ret’d) of London, ON peacefully at Parkwood Veterans Hospital on 5 March 2008 at the age of 93 years.

Sonny was born and raised in Forest, ON.  He was a veteran of the Second World War. He enlisted in the Army in November 1939 and served six years in the Royal Canadian Engineers seeing action in Italy. He was hospitalized three times during the war and returned home with seventeen pieces of shrapnel still in his body. His Army career was tumultuous and he claimed being promoted to sergeant three times and reduced back to Sapper each time. He was discharged in November 1945. 

After the war Sonny returned to Forest and went to work for the federal Department of Agriculture as a fruit and vegetable inspector. He started a new career in 1958 as a successful insurance agent and businessman in Forest.  After retiring, he moved to London, ON.  Sonny was active in many community organisations including the St. James Presbyterian Church, the Forest Rotary club and the Royal Canadian Legion Forest Branch # 176 where he was a Life Member and served as president. He was also a coach and supporter of many sports teams in the Forest area.

Visitation will be held at the Chapel of the Good Shepherd at Parkwood Hospital in London on 7 March from 2:00 to 3:00 PM followed by a celebration of life.  Private interment will take place at a later date. Donations may be made to Veteran's Care Fund, c/o St Joseph's Health Care Foundation, London or to a charity of one’s choice. ^{{dcNov2017gd} [zpp, zsd]}