Obituary of David Toplon

"South Hadley – David Toplon (Lt. Colonel USAF Ret.), 92, passed away April 6, 2008, peacefully in his sleep at home. Born August 9, 1915 in Brooklyn, NY, he was the son of the late Bernard and Ester (Toplon) Cohen. David bravely served his country with the Army Air Corp during WWII with the 14th Air Force Flying Tigers, completing 52 combat missions in the Burma, Thailand, and Indo-China Theater of war. During his military service, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, and the Bronze Star in addition to numerous other individual and unit citations. After WWII, David went into business for himself, but was called back into service in early 1951 to the now US Air Force, and honorably served through the Korean and Vietnam wars until his retirement in late 1969 at the rank of Lt. Colonel. David received his Bachelors degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and after his military service worked for the Commonwealth of MA as a social worker and later supervisor of the Springfield Dept. of Public Welfare until his retirement in 1982. David was a photographer of professional caliber, his pictures being used by Eastman Kodak and other national manufacturers for point of sale advertising. He lectured on photography in both the United States and England, and his love for photo-journalism led to his publication in many national magazines. For three years, he also had a monthly column in a leading London newspaper. A natural athlete, David was an avid 4-wall handball player, and won many singles and doubles championships. His true sports love, however, was his gift as a runner. A member of the YMCA in Springfield since 1970, he ran daily well into his 80's, and participated in foot races locally and throughout the US and Canada, including the New York Marathon and Washington DC Marine Corps Marathon; in most races finishing 1st in his age group. In running, his crowning achievement was completing a race on the Great Wall of China in 1985. David was predeceased by his brothers Mortimer and Joseph, and his sister Florence. To cherish his memory, he leaves his loving wife of 63 years, Hazel G. "Terry" (Norman) along with his children, Brenda M. Wyszynski and her husband Donald, David K. Toplon, all of Granby, MA and James E. Toplon and his wife Ellen of Nashville, TN. His grandchildren, Dr. David and Joseph Toplon, Amy Arlabosse and her husband Damien, and great granddaughter Chloe Hazel Arlabosse also survive him. He will surely be missed by his numerous friends at the YMCA and the road race community as well. Most recently, David was a member of the Congregation Son's of Zion in Holyoke, MA. David and his entire family extend their gratitude for the kindness shown over the years by their neighbors the Fitzgerald Family. A funeral service will be on Thursday at 11:15 a.m. at the Beers and Story South Hadley Funeral Home, 646 Newton St. (Rt. 116). Burial with full military honors will be on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. at the Massachusetts Veterans' Memorial Cemetery in Agawam. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 9, from 5 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the YMCA of Greater Springfield, 275 Chestnut St., Springfield, MA 01104. For more information and to sign the online guest register, please visit www.beersandstory.com "