It is with the deepest sadness that we announce the sudden
passing of John (Nigel) Topliss on November 16, 2023, at the age of 77.
John will be lovingly remembered by his son, Mike; daughter, Heather (Ryan); grand-daughters, Kate and Sarah; sisters Jill (Ed) and Jean (Howard); brother Ed (Brenda), sisters-in-law Kathy and Jeanne, and brothers-in-law Brian (Kathy) and Patrick, as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 51 years, Elizabeth (Betty), his parents, Jack and Barbara, and his sister, Susan.
John had a huge heart and he was the kind of father and grandfather who would get down on the floor (even if he had trouble getting back up) and play any game or work on any puzzle or art project the kids had in mind. He was the “Grampi” who had voices for all of the Barbies and stuffed animals, he never grew tired of playing board games or Wii Price is Right, and he was always up for decorating Ukrainian Easter eggs, carving
pumpkins or painting Christmas ornaments. He could spend hours blowing bubbles in the backyard with his grand-daughter, Kate, or playing his regular (and highly
competitive) card game battles with his grand-daughter, Sarah. John also loved watching Oiler games with his son, Mike, chatting over a cup of coffee with his daughter, Heather, watching movies with his wife in their matching recliners, and getting cuddles from his two cats.
One of the things John’s loved ones will remember most about him is the wealth of knowledge he had about pretty much everything. If you had a question, John likely knew the answer. He could also repair just about anything and he took a lot of pride in making the lives of the people he loved easier. His daughter, Heather, lovingly remembers times when she and her family would go away on vacation and John and Betty would pet-sit on their acreage and she would return to find a spotless house, landscaping work done in the yard, and things like their vacuum cleaner cleaned out and working like new again. John would jump at any opportunity to help those he loved. That was the kind of man he was.
John was born on the Isle of Portland in the English Channel. He had fond memories of his early childhood there but when he was just over a year old, he contracted the Polio virus. It attacked the muscles in his left leg and caused it to be shorter than the other. He underwent many painful surgeries as a child and teenager. The idea was to try to stop the growth of his right leg to give his left leg time to catch up but unfortunately it did not work. He had to learn to walk again and he dealt with a lot of pain throughout his life, but he never complained. He was told by doctors that he would likely be in a wheelchair
full-time by the age of 40, due to muscle deterioration. John was 77 when he passed and while in his last 3 years, he used a walker to assist with getting around, his motto was ‘if you don’t use it, you lose it’ so he made sure to stay as mobile as he could. He was strong in so many ways and he was an inspiration to so many people.
John and his family moved to Canada in 1953 when he was 7 years old. They settled in Edmonton and John had a great childhood enjoying fun times at the lake, horseback
riding and spending time with friends. John met his wife Betty in 1966 when they worked at Safeway together. They married two years later and were blessed with two healthy children and many happy years living in Beaumont, Alberta, before moving to their home in Edmonton, where they would spend their retirement years. John and Betty were the definition of two peas in a pod and they had the kind love that many people spend their whole lives searching for. They took great pride in having a home that was filled with so much love and laughter.
John and Betty loved traveling to Mexico and other tropical locations, and yearly
camping trips in their holiday trailer. They enjoyed fishing trips with many laughs around the campfire, as well as many great times at holiday gatherings with family and friends over the years and times spent with their kids at their cabin at Alberta Beach. John also enjoyed reading, rock-collecting and visiting the pet store to pick out fish for his aquarium.
John and Betty worked hard all of their lives and they often spoke of how blessed they felt. Some of their proudest and happiest moments were spent with their kids, watching their grand-daughters, Kate and Sarah, in horse shows, softball games, awards nights and other activities. You just had to look for the people with the biggest smiles and that would be them.
When John lost Betty in a car accident in 2019, a piece of his heart went with her so his family takes comfort in knowing that Betty was waiting for him with open arms when he left this world. At John’s request, there will not be a formal funeral service. He wanted loved ones to remember him in their own way and think of special memories shared.
John will be tremendously missed by all who were lucky to know him.
Memorial donations in John’s name can be made to the Stollery Children’s Hospital, The Canadian Cancer Society or STARS Air Ambulance.
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