John G. Topp

John G. Topp of Wauwatosa, WI passed away peacefully July 31, 2020 at the age of 86. John was born December 13, 1933 to Jack and Viola (Downey) Topp.  The eldest of two boys, he graduated from Marquette University High School (1951) and went on to receive a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Marquette University (1955).   Loving all things Marquette, he was extremely proud that all four of his children received degrees from there.  He served in the Unites States Marine Corps and was stationed in Quantico, VA.  Upon his return to the Milwaukee area, he met the love of his life, Ellen (Hart) Topp, they married on January 24, 1959.  Together they spent 40 years raising their family in Shorewood, WI while enjoying winters in the Fort Meyers, FL area after retirement.

John is survived by his four children, Margaret (Keith) Kiehnau, Joseph (Marian) Topp, Daniel (Linda) Topp, and Kathleen (Thomas) Roop.  Proud Grandfather to a dozen, Kelly Kiehnau; Emily, Sara, Elizabeth, Christopher, Laura, and Michael Topp; Annie, Kathleen, and Claire Topp; Jack and Shania Roop.  Further survived by his brother and best friend, William (Joan) Topp, sister- in-law Sr. Brigid Mary Hart BVM, brother-in-law Michael (Kathy) Hart as well as nephews and many sailing companions and friends. A special thank you to his friend and dinner companion at San Camillus, Jeanne Maviel.  He was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years Ellen (Hart) Topp in 2008 and granddaughter Kelly Kiehnau in 2012.

John enjoyed his long-time career in the trucking industry as an owner of Wisconsin Truck Center, a Freightliner distributorship, as well as several years with a Mack Truck dealership. His career fit well with a lifelong passion for cars and auto racing.  He loved all types of racing including local dirt track events, Formula 1, and Indy cars.  John was a United States Auto-Club (USAC) member and during retirement spent the month of May each year in Indianapolis serving as a track official for the Indy 500. 

John’s other great passion fueled his love to race and compete.  Thanks to the invitation from a neighbor to join their crew for a sailboat race on Lake Michigan a new adventure was launched.  John enjoyed a 50-year love of the water and competed in many local, national, and international sailing events. He captained his boat, Warrior, in 15 Chicago to Mackinaw Island Races, with members of his family as crew.  An active member of the Milwaukee Yacht Cub he served in many leadership positions, including Commodore. He was also a member of the Power Squadron and U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.

 A man of strong faith and conviction, John was a loving husband and father, who possessed a lifelong thirst for knowledge forged in the Jesuit tradition.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, August 7 at 11:30 am at St. Robert Catholic Church 4019 N. Farwell Ave. Shorewood, WI 53211.  Private burial to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations made in John’s honor may be sent to: Children’s Wisconsin – Herma Heart Center at Children’s Wisconsin Foundation M.S. 3050, Po Box 1997. Milwaukee, WI 53201: Website - http://www.chw.org