Edward S. Toperzer's Obituary
Edward Stephen Toperzer passed away peacefully on January 19, 2022, at the age of 90, surrounded by family.
Ed was a native of Homeville, PA, and has been a resident of Florida since 1984, first in Deltona, and most recently residing in Orange City. Ed was a gifted artist and worked as a draftsman throughout his career; he retired from Westinghouse Electric Company in 1983, and finished his drafting career with C&D Technologies in Orlando.
Ed was preceded in death by his parents, Anna (Bell) and Edward C. Toperzer; his sister, Shirley Lutheran; and by his beloved wife of 50 years, Sara Jane Symington Toperzer. He is survived by his younger brothers: Curtis “Buzz” Toperzer (Elizabeth, deceased) and Ron Toperzer (Stephanie).
Ed was a devoted dad to his children: Sally Roddy (Patrick) of Eighty Four, PA; Edward A. Toperzer (Jodi) of Orlando, FL; Linda Gibbs (Jeff) of Orange City, FL. He was also a loving “Pappy Ed” to his grandchildren: Jay Roddy (Katherine); Erin Nyero (Francis); Anna Gibbs; and Cameron Toperzer; and his great-grandchildren: Edward Roddy, Phoebe Roddy, Jasper King, Silas Nyero (2019) and Jane Nyero. He was also a much-beloved ‘Uncle Ed’ to a slew of nieces and nephews, whom he loved very much in return. Ed was also blessed to love and be loved by his girlfriend of the past 5 ½ years, Janie Schiraldi.
When Ed moved to Florida, he discovered a passion for singing at piano bars at the old Sundance Lounge. Sundance also provided the opportunity for Ed and his wife Jane to show off their amazing dancing skills, cheek-to-cheek with pinky finger raised! The Sundance crowd developed into a network of close and long-term friendships that still exist to this day. Ed also had an amazing group of friends who met regularly for breakfast at the local IHOP.
Ed was a firm believer in public service and in giving back to the community. He served in the US Army from 1954 – 1956, and was a commissioner for South Versailles Township in Pennsylvania for 16 years. Upon moving to Florida, he volunteered with the Citizens on Patrol, both in the Deltona and Orange City areas, where he received an award for logging more than 5,000 volunteer hours.
Florida family and friends will be received at a mask-required viewing on Monday, January 24th, from 2:00 – 4:00 and 6:00 – 8:00 pm, at Deltona Memorial Funeral Home and Gardens, 1295 Saxon Blvd, Orange City, FL 32763.
Pennsylvania family and friends will be received at a mask-required viewing on Saturday, January 29th, from 11:00 am – 1:30 pm at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home, 301 Curry Hollow Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15236. Funeral service will begin at 2:00 pm in the funeral home’s chapel.
The family is grateful for the compassionate care of the staff at Halifax Health-Hospice-Volusia. We request that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to this wonderful organization. You can mail your donation in Ed’s memory to: 1625 Veterans Memorial Parkway; Orange City, FL 32763. Those who prefer to make a donation online can do so at https://halifaxhealth.org/services-treatments/our-services/continuingcare/hospice-2/giving/donation-portal/.
Condolences may be shared at www.jeffersonmemorial.com.
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