Fred Topi

For more than nine decades, for dozens of his financial clients and for his loving family, Fred Topi personified the word trust. As a trust officer for several banking institutions in Florida and as president of his own financial company, Fred built a reputation as a reliable and tireless advocate for his many customers. For his family, he was a trusted source of love and support.

Fred died peacefully on Christmas Eve morning, leaving behind a legacy not only as an honest man of business, but as a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend to many. He was 95.

Born in 1930, the only child of Fred and Jennie Topi, he grew up in the Cleveland area playing the saxophone and competing in an occasional boxing match. He graduated from John Carroll University in University Heights and served in the U.S. Army’s First Infantry Division – the Big Red One – in post-WWII Germany. He later served as an auditor for the state of Ohio.

Fred fell in love for the first time with Joanne Miceli, and they married in 1956. He fell in love again with the state of Florida when the two vacationed there in the 1960s. They moved to Lighthouse Point with their young daughter, Michelle, in 1968.

Once settled in Florida, it didn’t take long for Fred to launch his distinguished career in the financial services industry. He was the first Italian-American trust officer in Florida and won the prestigious Tinsley-Wells Florida Trust School Honor Graduate Award, which recognizes the top student at the Florida Bankers Association (FBA) Trust & Wealth Management School.

Fred embraced Florida living. He took up tennis and played several days a week into his 80s. He also loved the Miami Dolphins and was a season ticket holder for more than 20 years. He built many friendships and was known for his big smile, his positivity, and his groan-worthy jokes.

In his late 50s, Fred struck out on his own and established his financial services company, which he ran until his retirement in his early 90s.

Fred was a loving husband to Joanne and was immensely proud of their daughter, Michelle. He is also survived by his son-in-law Joseph; goddaughter Tracey Evans; grandsons Thomas; Michael and his fiancé Beatrice Garcia; Andrew and his wife Taylor Tribiano; and great-granddaughter Arizona Joanne.

Fred will be honored in a private ceremony. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Trustbridge Hospice.