Monday, August 20, 2007

Joshua Topy Memorial Scholarship Fund

Josh Topy died last week at the age of 37 from leukemia, which he had fought off for three years before it got the best of him. Fifty years ago I came to the US and moved to Columbus, where I first met my friend Stan Bobrof. We have been as brothers since then, our families often entwined in our own joys and sorrows. I watched Josh, his nephew, grow from an impish little boy into a fine young adult

The unfairness of someone this young being taken is even more tragic given the possibilities that still laid ahead to Josh who was creative, inventive, intelligent, generous and witty.

His sister Sarah send us the following email message.
-charlie


"Dear Family and Friends,

As most of you know we have established a scholarship fund at Ohio State in Joshua's memory to be a lasting and permanent tribute to him. Joshua was committed to his education and we are going to try to raise the money to sustain a small scholarship for years to come.

To help us get the scholarship off the ground, we're hoping that you can make a contribution in Joshua's name in one of two ways:

1. Go online to www.giveto.osu.edu/igive and click the Other: Please Specify Special Instructions button. Then, enter your donation and add that it should be directed to the Joshua Topy Memorial Fund, #312500.


2. Send in a check to Gail Feinstein, 1480 W. Lane Avenue, Columbus, OH 43221 and write on the check that it's to go toward the Joshua Topy Memorial Fund #312500.


In order for this scholarship to work we need to get it off the ground with as much momentum as possible so please consider contributing what you can.


Love,
Sarah Topy"

614/506-2219
sarahtopy@gmail.com

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I worked with Joshua at SHI. He was one of the first people I met when I started there in 2000; his warmth and humor made me feel immediately at ease. Sometimes a smile and a joke with Joshua in the elevator was the best thing that happened all day. I feel blessed to have known him.

My deepest condolences go out to his friends and family in Ohio.

Jenn Colten

Anonymous said...

I was blessed to have become great friends with Joshua when he moved to NJ, and he remained one of my closest friends. He was so intelligent, fun, and caring of others.

He became very close with my wife and got along famously with my daughter.

I am glad to have gotten to know his family and close friends from Ohio. There is no doubt his candle will continue to burn bright in our hearts.

I still think of him often and I know the world was a better place with him around.

We miss you and love you Joshua!

Billy, Robin, and Hailey Bender