In Memory: Sept. 23

From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory

Ronald J. “Tops” Toperzer, Sr., 81, Vero Beach

March 01, 1941 – September 20, 2022

Ronald J. “Tops” Toperzer, Sr., age 81, passed away September 20, 2022, at VNA Hospice House of Vero Beach.

He was born on March 1, 1941, in West Homestead, Pennsylvania to the late Edward and Anna Bell Toperzer.

Mr. Toperzer served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He also served as an MP, radio, and television while stationed at Ft. Bragg.

Ron was the first Junior Volunteer Firefighter at the Homeville VFD, joining at the age of 16. He also served as Assistant Chief and Chief of the North Shenango Volunteer Fire Department. Ron is a life member of both departments.

While working at a radio station in Greenville, Pa, he joined with the Phi Theta Phi fraternity at Thiel College in Greenville for 15 years for their annual fundraiser walk of 100 miles from Greenville to Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh. Ron provided the public address system from his van encouraging the walkers and for donations along the way.

In 1976, Ron worked as public relations director at Conneaut Lake Park, Conneaut Lake, PA.

Ron retired as a General Manager of a Radio Station in Meadville, PA in 1984 and began self-employment in light construction and renovations until moving to Vero Beach in 2005. He spent more than 40 years as a Disc Jockey and then management in Radio. He also served on the boards of several organizations during his time in Meadville, PA..

He married Rose Marie Melaniak in 1966, having four children. He married Stephanie Salzman in 1981, having one son.

Ron loved people and would strike up a conversation with anyone. But his greatest joy came from his children and the grandchildren he loved, adored, and who made him so proud.

His other joy in life came after moving to Florida from riding his scooter around Sebastian nearly every day.

Ron attended Christ Church of Vero Beach.

He is survived by his wife, Stephanie, children; Timothy (Melissa), Mary Ellen Tatro (Brian), Julie Montalbano (John), Ron (Rachel), 7 grandchildren and his brother, Curtis Toperzer of Verona, PA.

Ron was predeceased by his brother, Edward Toperzer, sister, Shirley Toperzer Lutheran and infant son, Ronald J. Toperzer, Jr.

A Celebration of Life will be held 10:00 a.m., October 1, 2022, at Christ Church, 667 20th St, Vero beach, FL 32960.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Christ Church Academy Scholarship Fund, 667 20th St, Vero Beach, FL 32960 or VNA Hospice, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL  32960.

Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.

From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory

John C. Kelly, 98

July 3, 1924 – September 22, 2022

John C. Kelly, 98, passed away September 22, 2022.  A full obituary is forth coming.

To plant Memorial Trees in memory of JOHN C. KELLY, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.

From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory

Stella Giambanco, 94, Sebastian

June 7, 1928 – September 19, 2022

Stella Giambanco, affectionally known as Mama Stella, 94 of Sebastian, Florida died a peaceful and natural death September 19, 2022, at VNA Hospice House in Vero Beach, Florida.

She was born in Carini, Sicily where she grew up. There she married her sweetheart of 58 years, the late Giuseppe Giambanco, and started her family. She and her late husband immigrated to the United States in the late 70’s and had lived in Sebastian, Florida since 1983.

Mama Stella was always seen working by her late husband’s side as a seamstress for some 20 plus years, and then as a cook in the kitchens of their family owned and operated Giuseppe’s Pizzeria restaurants. However, Mama Stella’s greatest achievement was raising and caring for her three sons, Edoardo, Croce and Roberto. She was also a very proud grandmother and great grandmother, as family was always her first priority. Her legacy lives on in her family, shared family recipes and love of cooking.

Survivors include sons, Edoardo Giambanco and wife, Francesca of Sebastian, Fl., Croce Giambanco of Vero Beach, Fl. and Roberto Giambanco and wife Tina of Sebastian, Fl.; 7 Grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren.

Services: Public visitation will be held on Monday September 26th at 6pm at Strunk Funeral Home, Sebastian, Fl.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11am.Tuesday September 27th at Saint Sebastian Catholic Church, Sebastian, FL. Entombment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, Fort Pierce, FL.

Arrangements are entrusted to Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory, 1623 North Central Avenue, Sebastian, Florida 32958.

To plant Memorial Trees in memory of STELLA RUSSO GIAMBANCO, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.

From Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory

Linda Colangelo, 76

January 12, 1946 – September 17, 2022

Obituary coming soon.

To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of Linda Colangelo, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.

From Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory

William Joseph Rutnik, 80, Fort Pierce

July 31, 1942 – September 21, 2022

William Joseph Rutnik (Bill/Billy), 80 passed away unexpectedly on September 21, 2022. He was born on July 31, 1942, in Orange, NJ to William Rutnik, Sr. and Marie Rutnik.

Bill retired after 40 years as a Tractor Trailer Driver.  He drove for Oneida Motor Freight and Preston Trucking Co.  Bill was a former resident of Nutley, NJ and relocated to Fort Pierce, FL in 2004.  He was a lifelong parishioner of St. Marys Church and he was a member of the Knights of Columbus. If you ask anyone who met Bill, they would say this: “He had a distinct laugh and always had a smile on his face”.  He was the easiest man to connect with and even easier to love! It will be the little things that you will remember.  The quiet moments, the smiles, the “laughter.”  The “Mayor” as he was known on Sunberry Circle will be deeply missed, especially by his loyal companion Jerzi.  Bill was a loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend.

Survivors include his loving wife of 57 years, Patricia, son, Richard and daughter in law ToniAnn, sisters, Carol Stefanelli, and Roseann Rotondo, brother, Ronnie.  Bill was preceded in death by his son Robert.  His greatest loves, are his grandchildren, Victoria and Jenna and his loving nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Monday, September 26, 2022, from 2:00 pm until 4:00 at Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home in Vero Beach.

Online condolences may be shared at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com

In lieu of sending flowers, please donate to St. Jude or a local humane society in William Rutnik’s name.

To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of William Joseph Rutnik, Jr., please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.

 

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