Julius Albert Topf

Julius was born in Germany, August 2, 1929, and grew up in Hildesheim during the war. He immigrated to Ontario, Canada in 1951, working for a while in a logging camp, then in the nickel mines in Sudbury. In 1953, he moved to Ste. Jean, Quebec to work for Bell Telephone, where nearby he met Ruby Bockus and they married in September of 1955. In 1957, they moved west to Vernon and worked for Okanagan Telephone until retirement (from BC Tel) in 1993.

He had many interests, which he would follow with unparalleled focus and passion. An avid hunter in the 1960’s – 70’s, flying and competing in radio controlled gliders in the 1970’s and 80’s, and was heavily involved in the Vernon Garden Club from the 1990’s on.

He is predeceased by his parents Karl and Grete Topf of Germany and by his loving wife Ruby in 1990. He is survived by his sons Michael (Linda) and Craig (Lorrianne), siblings Barbara (Jim) of England, Peter (Sieglinda aka Suzi) of Germany and Ulf (Irmela) of Vancouver, adoring friend and confidant Lyla Rankin, special friend Cynthia Robertson, Jason, Jared, and Sherri-Anne Nyberg (Step grandchildren who thought of him as Grandpa), and many other friends from the garden club and other interests.

For 14 years, he tended the roses at the Vernon Hospice House and Polson Park as part of the Garden Club.

A small graveside service will be held in the Coldstream cemetery, for close family and friends. A celebration of life will be held at Mackie House from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on June 15, 2013.

We’d like to thank all of those that cared for him over the past 2 months, with special thanks to Teena Robinson, Carole James and Dr. Chan.

If desired, donations can be made to the North Okanagan Hospice Society, the Canadian Cancer Society, or the SPCA.

Cremation arrangements are in the care of Vernon Funeral Home 250-542-0155.