Jon Ottenson R.I.P.

 

My second cousin died this morning.  I had heard he was in a bad health but I was hoping he could pull through.  

Here is a video I made about my reaction.

Here are photos of the last two times I was able to see him.

The first before Covid.

The second was taken last summer.

The big strapping man on the right is Jon’s son.  Jon will have a good legacy I am sure.  Jon’s mother is at the center front.  I am standing between my son and my brother Ron.

My fondest memory of Jon is this:

December 26, 1981, Jon, my brother Ron & I went to the old Winnipeg Arena to see the Canadian Juniors play the Soviet Juniors in a World Junior Hockey Tournament game.  Jon had bought us cheap tickets.  He showed a lot of pluck when he plopped the three of us behind the net on the end with the Queen’s portrait.  We got to witness close up, our juniors rout the Soviet juniors 7-0.  The roar at the end of the game was the most heart felt and stirring I had ever heard.  Canada went on to win the tournament and restore its hockey confidence.  A great memory thanks to Jon.  I was able to tell him how much that memory meant to me.