Saratoga Springs, NY - John J. Totten passed away Wednesday (June 17, 2015) at Ellis Hospital. He was 82. Born on March 27, 1933 in Saratoga Springs, NY, the son of the late Thomas F. and Margaret (Murphy) Totten, he was a lifelong resident and a 1951 graduate of the former St. Peter's Academy on Broadway. He retired from The Saratogian newspaper following 67 years of service, having started there as a paperboy at the age of 11. John was drafted into the US Army in 1953 and served with the364th Infantry at Fort Dix, NJ, eventually transferred to the Second Armored Calvary in Bindlach, Germany. He operated tanks and was a border guard during the Cold War and featured on the cover and in a chapter of Paul Post's book "Soldiers of Saratoga County. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by two sisters, Marie (Ken) Savard and Patricia Totten and a step-son, Jeffrey Cherry. Survivors include his wife, Katherine (Tyger) Totten; one sister, Sister Margaret Totten, CSJ of Latham and one brother, Thomas F. (Elberta) Totten of Ballston Lake, NY; two step-sons, Gregory Cherry and Wayne (Kathy) Cherry, all of Saratoga Springs; two nieces, Christine Richards (Mitchell) of Corinth and Karen Alonzo (Wayne) of Hamlin, NY and one nephew, Kevin Savard. Relatives and friends may call from 11:30am to 12:30pm Monday (June 22, 2015) at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing and Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway 584-5373. Funeral services will be follow at 12:30pm Monday in the funeral home and burial will be private. Many "thank-yous" go to the tremendous support of family and friends during the past several weeks. Memorials may be made in his name to the Saratoga Springs History Museum, P.O. Box 216, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.