Otto Funderburk

Otto “O-Bomb” Funderburk of Southbury, CT left for heaven on December 8, 2018 after a courageous and determined seven-month battle against Leukemia at the Smilow Cancer Center of Yale New Haven Hospital. Otto, a star 13-year-old baseball player and competitive swimmer, was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia just before the end of his 7th grade year.

Otto played baseball in the Pomperaug Youth Baseball fall/spring leagues as a center fielder and pitcher for six years, and was on the summer team, winning the district championship four years in a row. He was nicknamed “O-Bomb” because he crushed the ball for homeruns. He was a competitive swimmer for the Panther Aquatic Club, qualifying for freestyle in the Short Course Age Group Championships in the spring of 2018. His favorite and best strokes were freestyle and butterfly.

Otto was not only a strong, fierce competitor on the field/in the water, but also a caring friend and brother. He brought a positive attitude to everything he did in life. Otto respected each person he met and treated them with kindness, politeness and genuine compassion. He loved his friendships and considered everyone a friend. He was an uplifting spirit who encouraged others around him to be positive, relax and be their best.

Otto began golfing at the age of three, but really started to enjoy playing this summer with his father, grandfather and best friend, Jackson. Otto also enjoyed snowboarding in the winters and family trips in the summer. He was a Red Sox and Patriots fan, following both sports closely and knowing players across the leagues.

Otto leaves behind his mother Leigh, father Mark and two sisters Tess and Lulu, along with Uncles Karl and Jeremy, Aunt Laura, Cousin Harley, Grandad Funderburk, Grandy and Papa Foos, and many extended family and friends. Four years proceeding Otto’s death, Grandma Linda and Aunt Sarah had short Leukemia battles.

Calling Hours will be at Sacred Heart Church in Southbury on Friday, December 14, from 4-8 pm. A memorial service will be held at Sacred Heart Church in Southbury on December 15 at 11am, with a reception immediately following at United Church of Christ of Southbury. Donations for an Otto Funderburk memorial fund can be made out to Mark and Leigh Funderburk or made online at www.munsonloveterefuneralhome.com . 

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