I am privileged to be able to say that William R Toppi was my Grandfather! I am the 3rd granddaughter of 22 grandchildren. I have so many happy memories to share. From my earliest memories, I can remember the excitement involved when Grandma and Grandpa would come to visit, or we would be visiting them at their home on Point-of-Pines at Revere Beach! Grandpa would take us to the beach, take us swimming, and then we would go back to their home for a delicious dinner, take a long walk after dinner, and get an ice cream at Kelly's Creme! Grandpa would also let us get a candy from his hidden stash of chocolates! 

I can remember driving around town with Grandpa while he did errands, and I would sit up front with him. This was back in the day when seatbelts were not always available in cars. Gramp would show me how to put my hands on the dash whenever he was braking in the car. He would point out all the streets and places where he would go or know someone. It was always exciting. 

As a grew into a teen and was in highschool, I was part of the performers in the Saugus High School Marching Band. It was my senior year, and there was a huge band competition and performance in St. Petersburg, Florida at the Parade of States. Gram and Gramp knew that they were going to visiting Florida at the time and told me that they would be watching somewhere along the parade route. Well they broke through the crowd and Grandma started taking photos as we marched by. Also, that same week, the band was preparing for their turn in a competition. We were one of many marching bands gathered on a field waiting our turn. All of a sudden, I hear my name being called out loudly by a familiar voice. It was Grandpa. He sort of snuck through security somehow, and started looking for me among all the bands! I was so blessed and happy to see him!

Another special thing that I wanted to share is that when I became very ill in 1987, Gramp volunteered and was available to drive me into Boston to Deaconess Hospital on countless occasions. This helped me and my parents out so much! Grandpa also spoke with the Doctor on a certain visit and basically told him that I was very special to him and that he wanted the doctor to do all he could to help me get well. When the doctor came into the exam room, he said to me..."I thought your Grandfather was going to ask me my shoesize". We laughed together, but I really didn't get the joke until years later. It was a sort of "mob/mafia type language". :)

Years later, when my husband suddenly passed away at the young age of 27, leaving me with a four year old and a one year old, Grandma and Grandpa drove all the way to Maryland to attend the funeral. That was no easy trip when they were in their seventies. It meant the world to me that they could do this.

Grandpa would always express his love to me for myself and for my children. He would always say "the prayers are in". Whenever we would visit from Maryland, he would make a point to come over with Grandma to visit, and bring the fresh baked scali bread from the bakery. We would toast that bread and have coffee after church! It was the best of times!

I am so blessed to have had this wonderful man in my life for as long as I had him. He lived a full, long life and during the past 3 years as his health declined, and after losing Grandma, he would say that he was ready to go. He endured great loss not only of his beloved wife, but 3 of his adult children as well. Yet he showed me how he would lean on Jesus during the heartbreak and sorrow. He always told me of his faith, and his assurance that his beloved children and wife were in the arms of Jesus. 

The last time I got to see Grandpa was one week before he passed. I hadn't seen him for one year, and I was praying that he could hold on until I was able to visit from Maryland. I don't think anyone realized that he was that close to the end though. It happened so quickly. When I saw him, I brought him a sandwich from Kelly's. God bless him! He did his best to eat some of that sandwich. My kids got to see him. They hadn't seen him in over 5 years! He looked at me and said "You will not be seeing me again". I told him that if the next time I saw him was in Heaven, that there would be know better place that we could meet again. I hugged him and said my goodbyes. He passed 8 days later. I thank God for that last time together. I will be seeing you in Heaven dearest Grandpa. I love you and will miss you until we meet again.