Obituary of Charles E Topping

Charles E. Topping Jr., 88, of Mendham, NJ passed away peacefully on October 16, 2018 at Overlook Medical Center in Summit, NJ. 

Born in Brooklyn, NY, on April 23, 1930 to parents Charles and Anne Topping (nee McBride), he grew up in the Mill Basin neighborhood of Brooklyn. As a child, he attended P.S. 236 in Mill Basin and graduated from Midwood High School in Brooklyn. He went on to graduate from Norwich University in Vermont as a commissioned officer in the United States Army with a B.A. in Business Administration in 1954, and attended New York University for his graduate work in finance. Charles had an impressive career, both as a manager for 38 years at New York Telephone and AT&T, and retired as a Major in the United States Army Reserve after 21 years of honorable service. 

He was a devout parishioner and usher of St. Joseph Church in Mendham. As one of the founders of the Mendham Borough Historical Society, he also served as President and Trustee. He was active on the Mendham Borough Planning Board, and held a seat on the Open Space Committee. He was a professional magician, and a proud member of the Society of American Magicians. He was an avid numismatist, contributed to important work on his family genealogy, and had a strong passion for playing poker. The only thing more impressive than his resume was his love for and devotion to his family.

Charles is predeceased by his loving wife of 61 years, Dorothy M. Topping; he is survived by his two children Brian and Kimberly Topping, his daughter-in-law Mimi Topping, granddaughter Elizabeth Gray and her husband Daniel Gray, grandson Jack Topping, and granddaughter Anna Topping.

Visitation will be held at Bailey Funeral Home in Mendham, NJ on Sunday, October 21 from 1-5 p.m. The funeral Mass will take place on Monday, October 22 at 10 a.m. at the Church of St. Joseph in Mendham, NJ. Interment will be at Holy Rood Cemetery in Westbury, NY. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child, 44 Blackburn Rd., Summit, NJ