Cyrus Topol

Cyrus Topol, 96, a resident at Eisenberg Assisted Living Residence, died on Friday, June 13th. He will be remembered for his abounding love of life, vivacious personality, abiding compassion, and dedication to his family and community. He was the owner of City Tire Company, Worcester, from 1945-1993, and a licensed auctioneer, retiring at age 82. He was the son of Dora (Kalinsky) and Morris Topol.

His first wife, Gail (Levine) Topol, died in 1987 and his second wife, Silva (Lehr) Topol, died in 2004. He leaves two daughters, Marjorie Topol Karp, wife of Alfred I. Karp, of Miami Beach, and Carole Topol Orland, wife of Burton I. Orland, of Westport, Connecticut; his brother, Sidney Topol, of Boston; four grandchildren, Melissa Shokrian, wife of Donald Shokrian, of Larchmont, New York, Andrew S.T. Cohen and his wife, Pilar, of Miami Beach, Stefani Topol Orland Silverstein, wife of Mark L. Silverstein, of New York City, and Zachary Maxwell Orland of Westport, Connecticut; and two great-grandchildren, Benjamin Elan and Ari Joshua Shokrian. He is predeceased by a brother, Julius Topol, and a sister, Reba Sacher. He was born in Boston and graduated Dorchester High School for Boys in 1929 and thereafter was employed in the dry cleaning industry.

In 1942, he joined the United States Navy, eventually serving as a Gunner's Mate 1st Class on the USS Missouri which was assigned to the Pacific Campaign and protected the United States fleet during the battles of Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and the Japanese mainland. He received 5 medals and 3 battle stars for his service and was an eyewitness to the signing of the Japanese surrender onboard his ship anchored in Tokyo Bay. He was a member of the USS Missouri Association and the Jewish War Veterans, Post 32, where he served on the Executive Board. He served on the Board of Directors and as Chairman of the Day Camp Committee and most recently as a member of the Man Talk group at the Jewish Community Center. He was also a board member at the Jewish Service Center for Older Adults and at Bet Shalom, a member of Temple Emanuel and its Brotherhood and served on the Caring and Social Action Committees and as a Lay Reader, and one of the original volunteers for Rachel's Table.

He was Chairman of the Worcester State College Elder Advocates Program and in 1999, received the Salute to Seniors Award from the City of Worcester for being an outstanding senior citizen. He was a member of the Worcester City Democratic Committee and the Ward 1 and 9 Democratic Committee. In 2000, he was awarded the Robert F. Kennedy Lifetime Achievement Award from the Worcester Democratic Committee and was presented a Key to the City.

The family extends its deepest gratitude to Dr. Robert Bessette for his kind, compassionate and skillful medical care.

Funeral services will be held at 1 PM ON MONDAY JUNE 16TH IN TEMPLE EMANUEL, 280 MAY ST. Burial will be in B'Nai Brith Cemetery.

Memorial Observance will be held at 30 Terrace Drive thru Wednesday Evening, June 18th.

Memorial contributions may be made to Eisenberg Assisted Living Residence, 631 Salisbury St., Worcester 01609, or to Temple Emanuel, 280 May St., Worcester 01602.

Perlman Funeral Home is directing funeral arrangements.