Francis L. Topping

Francis L. "Toppy" ToppingFrancis L. Topping, 94 years old, of Sanford, ME died Friday evening, July 14, 2006 at his home.Mr. Topping was born in Baileyville, ME on September 5, 1911. He was the son of John and Elizabeth (Karkos) Topolosky. Mr. Topping was a native of Woodland and a graduate of St. Croix High School. He was a graduate of the University of Maine at Orono and served as principal of Stueben High for four years. The then returned to the University of Maine for graduate under a teaching fellowship in zoology.The majority of Mr. Topping's teaching career was spent in the Sanford school district after moving to the area in 1942. He taught the sciences at Sanford High School, and was head of the science department there until his retirement in 1972. He took part in the Teacher Research Program at the Jackson Laboratories in Bar Harbor in 1960, and in the Marine Biology Institute at Bowdoin in 1962. Mr. Topping was honored as the Outstanding Biology Teacher in Maine by the National Association of Biology Teachers in 1965.Francis was an avid golfer, and in 1981 he won the Maine senior state championship in the over 70 division. He was a communicant of St. Ignatius Church of Sanford, and was a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.Predeceasing Mr. Topping was his wife of 63 years, Lucia (Hinkley) Topping.Surviving are two daughters, Nancy J. Westrack and her husband Francis of Winthrop, ME, Helen F. Farnsworth and her husband Richard of Kennebunk, ME; three grandchildren, Kevin Westrack, Kelly Richards, and Dane Farnsworth, and four great-grandchildren.The family would like to thank Laura Lenhart and her children Rene, Philip and Joseph for their love, dedication and exemplary care.A period of visitation for Mr. Topping will be held on Monday, July 17, 2006 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM at the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main St. Springvale. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 the following day at St. Ignatius Church in Sanford.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Goodall Memorial Library, 952 Main Street, Sanford, ME 04073. To leave a message of condolence online, please use the tab to the left.