Effingham — February 19, 2009 — Urbain Homer English Jr., 69, of Effingham, better known as “Sonny,” died peacefully in his home on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2009. Sonny was born Nov. 24, 1939 in Brockton, Mass. the son of the late Urbain and Marie English.

In his early years, Sonny was active in the Boy Scouts with his father, who was his Scout Master. That was the start of a long list of clubs and activities he enjoyed through out his school years at Whitman High School in Whitman, Mass., including president of the student council, the drama Club and his dearest passion, football, which he was fullback #15 and co-captain of his team.

After graduating in 1958, Sonny moved to Effingham, where he joined the U.S. Marine Corp Reserves and worked along side of his father in the family business, Ossipee Lake Camping Area that he continued to do through out his life. This wasn’t just a job to him; it was a part of him.

It was one of many loves, but the most important love was the one he shared with his wife, Maureen (Rene) Heath, whom predeceased him in 1995 after sharing 33 years. Together they had five children, Angela Rose, who predeceased both of her parents in 1963, Rochelle Brooks, of Freedom, Vaughn English, of Parsonsfield, Maine, Eric English, of Effingham, and Danielle Amidon, of Effingham.

Another of Sonny’s passions was the Effingham Fire Department where he gave them 48 years of dedicated service, retiring as Deputy Chief in 2007. Although he continued to serve as Deputy Fire Warden, even after retirement.

Most will agree, Sonny touched the lives of many and will be sadly missed, including, but not limited to his children’s spouses, Scott Brooks, Darlene English, Gwen English and Dana Amidon; his grandchildren, Chelsea, Scott and Maureen Brooks, Michael and Dakota English, Josh and destiny Tozier; one great-granddaughter Kayden Lord; his brother, of Tom Minerva, Louisiana; sisters, Elaine Sargent, of Melvin Village, Rosemarie Sargent, of Center Ossipee, and Jeanne Bergen, of Tamworth, as well as his dearest companion, Diana Kozloski, of Brockton, Mass., along with many nephews and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, Feb. 21, at 11 a.m. at St Joseph’s Catholic Church on Moultonville Road in Center Ossipee. Donations in his memory may be made to the Effingham Firefighters Association, 1102 Province Lake Road, Effingham, NH, 03882.