Obituary for Louis "Lou" Sotonoff
Lou Sotonoff, 82, of Glenview, was a good, kind and deeply loved man who lived a wonderful life. He started out with little, growing up as the middle child of three on Chicago’s West Side. Lou worked long hours to pay his own way through pharmacy school at University of Illinois-Chicago. He became a successful pharmacist, and in 1972, opened his own drugstore, Linden Pharmacy, on the corner of 4th and Linden in Wilmette. The store was his pride and joy, and Lou became a beloved fixture in the Wilmette community. Linden Pharmacy was once named Business of the Year by the Wilmette Chamber of Commerce. Lou and his wife, Roberta, ran the store for nearly 30 years.
Following a devastating fire at the drugstore, Lou was forced to temporarily relocate to a store on Dempster Street in Morton Grove, but he returned to Wilmette as soon as he could, where his business and love for his customers quickly resumed. The Sotonoffs sold Linden Pharmacy and semi-retired in 2000.
Lou and Bobbi were married for 56 years, and they had two daughters, Jamie and Caryn. He was “Grampy Lou” to four grandchildren whom he adored. Lou and Bobbi traveled the world together. Lou was a die-hard Chicago sports fan, always carrying around a little transistor radio so he could listen to games and sports talk channels. He loved to talk sports with anyone who’d listen, and wept when the Cubs win the World Series. He was famous for his bad jokes and puns, which he delivered with a warm smile and a laugh. He loved all things chocolate, reading, funny movies, golfing, music and science. His kindness made him instantly likeable to everyone he met.
Lou passed away peacefully on April 30, 2020 with his wife and daughters at his side. He will be deeply missed, and his legacy of goodness, warmth and kindness will live on in those who knew and loved him.
Because of the COVID pandemic, the funeral service must be private. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Donations in his memory can be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
Following a devastating fire at the drugstore, Lou was forced to temporarily relocate to a store on Dempster Street in Morton Grove, but he returned to Wilmette as soon as he could, where his business and love for his customers quickly resumed. The Sotonoffs sold Linden Pharmacy and semi-retired in 2000.
Lou and Bobbi were married for 56 years, and they had two daughters, Jamie and Caryn. He was “Grampy Lou” to four grandchildren whom he adored. Lou and Bobbi traveled the world together. Lou was a die-hard Chicago sports fan, always carrying around a little transistor radio so he could listen to games and sports talk channels. He loved to talk sports with anyone who’d listen, and wept when the Cubs win the World Series. He was famous for his bad jokes and puns, which he delivered with a warm smile and a laugh. He loved all things chocolate, reading, funny movies, golfing, music and science. His kindness made him instantly likeable to everyone he met.
Lou passed away peacefully on April 30, 2020 with his wife and daughters at his side. He will be deeply missed, and his legacy of goodness, warmth and kindness will live on in those who knew and loved him.
Because of the COVID pandemic, the funeral service must be private. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Donations in his memory can be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.