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Jeffrey Topper Obituary
NEW OXFORD
Jeffrey A. Topper, 64, died Saturday, December 19, 2015, at his residence.
Jeff was born May 31, 1951, in Hershey, the son of Ray M. and Virginia R. (Fors) Topper of Hummelstown.
Jeff was a teacher and coach at New Oxford High School for 35 years, and he was also a retired field hockey official for the Y.A.I.A.A. He was a member of the New Oxford Social & Athletic Club, where he was currently the president of the board, the Republican Club in Hanover, and was a volunteer at the New Oxford Food Pantry. Jeff enjoyed serving the New Oxford community, making people laugh, and he loved to travel, especially to the Outer Banks and Idaho.
In addition to his parents, Jeff is survived by two daughters, Courtney K. Zinn and her husband, James of New Oxford, and Chelsey B. Banda and her husband, Cruz of Abbottstown; a grandson, Maxwell C. Banda of Abbottstown; a brother, W. Douglas Topper of New York City, N.Y.; and two sisters; Leslie Fox of Hummelstown and Emily Hicks of Harrisburg. He was predeceased by a son, Zachary Topper; a brother, Timothy Topper; and a niece, Kimberly Topper.
A service to celebrate Jeff's life will be held on Thursday, December 24, 2015, at 10 a.m. at the Feiser Funeral Home, Inc., 302 Lincolnway West, New Oxford, with the Rev. Douglas C. Hahn officiating. Burial will be in New Oxford Cemetery. A viewing will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Zachary Topper Memorial Football Scholarship Fund, 1871 Old Main Drive, Shippensburg, PA 17257.
Memories may be shared at
feiserfuneralhome.com
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Memories and Condolences
for Jeffrey Topper
December 30, 2015
So sorry to hear. Thanks to Jeff for coaching me at the beginning of my basketball years at New Oxford. My condolences to the family. Hope you find comfort in knowing he touched many lives. Rest in peace Coach. Love, Cecelia "Golden Hands"Gebhart
Frank Weaver Jr.
December 25, 2015
My wife and I mourn the loss of the New Oxford Social & Athletic Club's competent and well loved president, a solid citizen of the community, and are confident in knowing that with the stalwart bonding the Club has experienced under the leadership he provided, it will prevail in leading on. May he Rest In Peace.
Pat Gebhart
December 25, 2015
Hi girls-sitting through the ceremony today reminded me of how Jeff gave me Air Guitar lessons on my back porch on Oak Hill Drive.
We will miss him.
Pat and Madeline
Coach Topper with Madi at States May 2015
Belinda Smith
December 23, 2015
Courtney and Chelsey, I'm so sorry for your loss. Your father had such an impact on my daughter, Madison. I'm so thankful they were able to form such a close relationship last year as he helped her find a love for throwing the javelin. He treated her as one of his own and will cherish that forever. He will truly be missed. Thoughts and prayers to you and your families.
John and Kathy Spangler
December 22, 2015
We are thinking of you Courtney and Chelsea. We are sorry we cannot be there in person to offer our love and sympathy.
Louise Gebhart
December 22, 2015
Courtney and Chelsey,
I have positive memories of you dad as a great teacher in my high school days. I was very sad and shocked to hear of his passing. Prayers to your family. May your great memories help you with this.
Donna Griest
December 21, 2015
Jeff was just starting his teaching and coaching career when I was a Senior at N. O. H. S. In 1976. After reading many of the messages in the guest book I get the feeling that he had an impact on many lives during his life as a teacher, coach, and with family. May he rest in peace!
Don & Lisa Stopfel
December 21, 2015
I am impressed to see how well loved and how many people will miss my little cousin, Jeff. We played together as children and then went our separate ways in adulthood but I always knew something about Jeff via family members. Ray, Ginny, Courtney, Chelsey, Leslie, Emily and Doug please know you are in our prayers. Jeff was too young and too dynamic to leave us so soon.
Doris Junga
December 21, 2015
I am sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. Topper. He was a great teacher to many of my AYUSA foreign exchange students. He was always kind to them and helped them when needed. I am sure he will be missed my many people throughout the community. Prayers for your family during this time of grief. Doris Junga
Kristen Jarvis-Weaver
December 21, 2015
Courtney and Chelsey, I'm so sorry for your loss. I am still in shock and lost for words but know that you two and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. He was a great man, full of life, and he always carried a smile. He will never be forgotten. Rest in Peace Mr. Topper.
Lauren & Stan Herring
December 21, 2015
Courtney and Chles, Words can not express how sorry I am for your loss. Memories will last a life time and we all know me made many. I hope you find peace in your heart. with all of my love....
gerald desko
December 21, 2015
My heartfelt condolences. My family is going through symilar troubles now. If it helps you are not alone.
Suzette Groft (Tosten)
December 21, 2015
My thoughts and prayers are with the family, so sorry for your loss. It's been a long time but I still remember Mr. Topper and how much he picked on me in class (in a good way). Rest in Peace!! From class of 1985.
Geri and Jim O'Brien and family
December 21, 2015
Chelsey and Courtney you're in our thoughts and prayers. So sorry for your loss.
Amy Wentz-Mulhearn (Class of 1986)
December 20, 2015
You were an inspiration & a great mentor to many "Colonials." We will miss you dearly.
Dori Mauk-Jarvis
December 20, 2015
Thoughts and prayers to the family. Another great man has walked through Heaven's Gate.
Deanna & Merle Reindollar
December 20, 2015
He was Wonderful teacher/coach, deepest symphony to the family, rest in peace Mr. Topper
Julie Sharif (Gould)
December 20, 2015
My deepest condolence goes out to his family. He was a wonderful teacher. Class of 1991
Mike & Rose Apostolakis
December 20, 2015
Heaven just got a good one a lil to early. I knew him as Coach he was calm, cool and collected. I still remember some of our conversations on sports and life. He had a way of making you want to succeed on and off the track. Deepest condolences to his family.
Dawn (Zinn) Peters
December 20, 2015
To his family, may you find comfort during this difficult time, may he RIP
Wendi Clark
December 20, 2015
My sympathies and prayers to the Topper family. Mr. Topper was a great teacher; a mountain of a man with such a soft, caring heart. I am so sorry for your loss.
Scott Heldibridle
December 20, 2015
Mr. Topper was a good teacher and football coach rest in peace.
Bob Colgan
December 20, 2015
My condolences to Jeff's family, and to all who knew and loved him. Jeff was a good man.
December 20, 2015
Courtney and jim, My prayers are for you. Your dad always was kind and a GREAT MAN. I remember as him doing great things; i.e,big and small in great love; he did bring joy and great peace to everyone. Please let me know if you need anything and as mentioned my prayers are with you Al W. Balchunas December 20, 2015. 5:01 p.m.
James F
December 20, 2015
Yesterday, yesterdaywe lost a good man.
Maybe the winds whipping up here on the mountains were trying to get me to listen for some kind of a warning. The seemingly endless mountain vistas are truly a wonder for calming the mind, too often battered by the senselessness that is happening in the world. I wasn't ready for the news that Jeff Topper had died. Not someone who loved Life so much.
I learned of his passing yesterday through Ann Rollins, our ever - wise, ever - dedicated colleague at NOHS, the epitome of class, who for so many kids (and incoming teachers) had become a mom away from Mom.
Jeff was a natural leader, teacher, and coach. He probably saw all of his roles as one larger role. A gifted communicator, and about as good - natured and cutting a humorist as any we see on bright-lit stages. Seriously funnyhe would say, "Aint that an oxymoron, Farrelly?" and how lucky we were to share his company and efforts to shape young lives. Jeff loved being around kidsprobably why many people end up going into education: to provide children with the necessary skills to make their own way, to create an order within their own lives that might lead them to success, however they want to measure it, against forces that are equally "in waiting" to tear it all apart. But with educators and coaches like Jeff, when some of life's harsher lessons would come -- persevere, reflect on "character lessons" and stories and experiences that allow us to never give up. Honor challenge: honor struggleand if you can find people to share good times and a good laugh, and a family that looks up to you and loves you--consider yourself thrice blessed when sorrow or hard knocks come our way in more endurable shares.
Jeff was a huge Beatles' fan. especially their early Capitol Years. I hope he dusted off that the old Nehru jacket at home a few times in his retirement years and turned up the tunes. He's a ring in all those songs now.
The times in the gym and on the field where Jeff coached at all levels.tugging on pony and pig tails while carrying on with our young ladies, in their bloom of youth, beaming with bright eyed smiles, all the while working their tails off, sweating together for the thrill of competition. In our years together as basketball coaches for the Lady Colonialsyes, we won games. lost some, helped build teams that won championships, but what matters, what lasts, are those smiles. But do give those trophies an extra polish this week, dear friends at NOHS. Make them shine on brightly with a little extra polishing, please?
I'lll never forget the time he taught a player, then in 7th grade, to plant her foot on the sideline for a good fifteen or twenty minutes--to teach the importance of that skill as a basketball defender. And she -- accepting the challenge -- she trusted that he only wanted her to become a better player and the team better for it. Years later, when that same player got to high school, she would become a confident defender, unafraid to "take a charge." -- a "stopper." One of the ways Jeff taught pride and respect...a hallmark of his daily living, really...he would always remind our players to dress nice for games, home and away. If our student athletes may not have had the wherewithal to find a sharp looking blouse or pants or shoes, he would go on a shopping spree for them. Few knew of his generosityfrom whom had he learned it ? I may never know because he tended to want to keep such acts quiet. "Top" took the same pride in watching his players grow as student athletes as he did with he and Meleah's lovely daughters, both of whom now teach at Conewago Valley School District-- the same district where he taught and coached for close to 30 years or more. At the end of the season, Jeff wanted the duty of collecting the team uniforms to launder and fold and store them away for a new year, when the following year's players would be given the team colors -- clean, sharply folded, prepared for them to feel special when putting them on. I wager that with Jeff's care those Lady Colonial uniforms received a good long life--always a boon for a district asking our athletic departments to be wary of costs, come budget time. I have no doubt that the motto, "look good, feel good", was one of his enduring, guiding principles.
He took the same level of energy, skill, and wit into the classroom where he taught business skills and helped students learn all they could to help them become good, productive employees and householders. We shared a classroom often. When I was on my way out the door for my prep period, he would be wheeling his "office on wheels" cart into Room 586, the cart that housed the Great Imperishable Donuta talisman which he kept well encased for preserving throughout the duration his teaching career. That, my friends, is a mummy donut. Kids wanted to gaze on that bit of withering pastry with the same curiosity as they once peered into a kaleidoscope.
Outside the classroom, he was just fun to be around. His good natured humor and the kind of ribbing that made us take ourselves less seriously and let the cares of the day or week just fade away. I'm sure there are many more who knew him over the years who can recount similar, unforgettable tales. I find myself regretting not having a Go Pro camera to record his great jokes and one-liners. Just as well, we have the greater silver archive of memories. He would no doubt get a chuckle over me waxing schmaltzy over his passing and ask me if I wanted a rose-scented kleenex before posting this. Yeah, I'll take it. Thanks, man.
My deepest sympathies to the Topper clan for the loss you will be grieving, whose life we can all celebrate within our Season of Joy. Jeff always wore the joy of living so well. I raise a glass to a light that has gone out, but will be carried on to be rekindled somewhere, to keep giving in ways that Tomorrow Never Knows. Fly on; fly high -- across the universe, even-- though so many, right here, just wanna hold your hand.
Jill and Jeff Davidson
December 20, 2015
Cares and prayers to you, Courtney and Chelsea. His girls always were close to his heart, and he was a special mentor to our 2 daughters. Rest in peace, Coach!
Cheryl Zaccagnini
December 20, 2015
My condolences to the family. I was very fortunate to know his son, Zachary who was a wonderful person. I continue to contribute to Zack's memorial scholarship at Shippensburg University and invite others to do so and even as a special memorial for his father, Jeffrey. It warms me to know that Zack will be joined in the heavens by his father.
Linda Hoover
December 20, 2015
What a wonderful picture! I am hoping that Zack and he are now reunited. We extend our sincere condolences to Courtney, Chelsea, and especially Grandma and Grandpa Topper. We love you!
Tony and Cathy Hagerman
December 20, 2015
A wonderful teacher-coach. Our Deepest heartfelt sympathy to the family. Rest in Peace Mr. (Jeff) Topper.
Samantha Ketterman
December 20, 2015
Prayers and thoughts for the family. He was a great teacher.
Carissa Cole
December 20, 2015
God has taken an amazing man... RIP Mr. T! Praying for the Topper family
Robert Smith
December 20, 2015
I remember this great teacher, teaching us a lesson in history and he said what you do today will be history tomorrow and years to come, thanks for being a great teacher Mr. Topper R.I.P prayers and blessings to your family and friends
December 20, 2015
Courtney & Chelsey and families,
So sorry for the loss of your Dad. It is a very difficult time to lose someone who is so special to you. Thoughts and prayers are with you and your extended family.
Eileen Kindig
Mark J Vechini
December 20, 2015
Thoughts and prayers go out to family and friends. Mr. Topper was a great educator and mentor who touched thousands of students thru out his years teaching. My condolences and may he rest in peace.
December 20, 2015
Courtney and Chelsey so sorry for your loss. Your Dad will surely be missed. Prayers to everyone..
Lyndon & Jennifer Landaeta
December 20, 2015
May you be at peace Mr. Topper. Fly high. We will miss you dearly!
Jessica Brodbeck
December 20, 2015
Please accept my and my family's condolences. We send our love and our praying for all of you!
Shelly Jacoby, Beard
December 20, 2015
Prayers with you all at this difficult time. He was a great inspiration to me and many of my classmates. He will be honored and remembered by many.
Beth Walter Wolfinger
December 20, 2015
Fond memories of this guy! Praying for your family.
Sherrie Hill
December 20, 2015
Prayers are being sent to the family. I remember him from school always smiling. We all loved him.
Karen & Perry Sanders
December 20, 2015
Thoughts and Prayers to all of you!
Tony Humbert
December 20, 2015
A great loss for the New Oxford community.
Kayla Chesney (Staub)
December 20, 2015
Mr. Topper was a wonderful teacher and a truely good hearted person he will be miss. Sending love and prayers.
Ann Watson
December 20, 2015
Oh, Courtney and Chelsea, my heart aches for you. He was a daddy, not just a father, and he loved you girls more than you ever will know. For every joking conversation with Jeff, I had another deeper talk. He had a spiritual side that I don't think he let many people see, and he had the world's biggest heart. He touched many, many lives, and you can be proud of that. He loved and was loved in return, and that is his legacy. Bless you two and God give you comfort in your memories.
Brenda Tharp
December 20, 2015
So sorry for the loss of an amazing teacher. Praying for your family during this difficult time
Mike Brenner
December 20, 2015
Jeff was my college roommate at Ship. He was a great friend and fraternity brother. RIP
Brother
Janel Zumbrum
December 20, 2015
I am so sorry for your loss Courtney. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Julie Groft Trull
December 20, 2015
Coach Topper you will never be forgotten.
Leslie Honaker
December 20, 2015
Thank you Mr.Topper for all you offered at New Oxford ... Thank you for showing me the love of Basketball,you will be missed...fly high angel
Michelle R
December 20, 2015
R.I.P.
Mr.Topper was a great teacher.
Good memories at NOHS.
Sara Goulden
December 20, 2015
Jeff will be missed, so many good memories with family . Chelsey and Courtney hold on to the memories and remember he loved you and your families so much and he was so proud to be a grandpa. Every time we saw him he talked about that sweet baby boy. Love you!
angie & dick orendorff
December 20, 2015
Praying you can get through this difficult time. Your memories will be forever in your hearts.
Tammy (Swope) LOOKENBILL
December 20, 2015
Thoughts and prayers to your family. You were awesome person /teacher to myself and my children. May you Rest in pease.
Patt Mann
December 20, 2015
To all of Jeff's family and friends, I am praying for comfort and peace during this difficult time.
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