Theodore James Topolski

Today, we mourn the passing, but celebrate the life of Theodore "Ted" Topolski. He was a dedicated husband, father mentor, and friend. Ted lived by the philosophy that there were "no bad people", and it was evidenced by the mass of people that he could call "Friend".

Ted was born in Michigan City, Indiana to Thaddeus, also called Ted, and Mary Margaret Topolski. He was the oldest of three boys and attended St. Mary's Catholic School for primary and secondary school. Ted excelled in sports, and played basketball and baseball, earning multiple varsity letters in both.

Ted graduated from St. Mary's Catholic and went on to attend Notre Dame University in South Bend, Indiana.

While at Notre Dame, Ted played on the freshman baseball team, and through one of his teammates and hallmates, Dick Kennedy, Ted met the love of his life and future bride Raynice "Sally" Kennedy.

Ted and Sally met in college, but began dating, in earnest, upon Sally's graduation and return to Illinois. Ted was working in Chicago at IBM, and Sally was in Joliet teaching elementary school. Ted and Sally would often regale their kids with tales of eating deep dish pizza at Due's in Chicago, getting dressed up for dinner at The Sheraton Hotel, and fun nights on Rush Street.

Ted and Sally married in June, 1968 in Joliet, Illinois. Work assignments moved them around the Midwest, and they welcomed two daughters, Lisa and Stacey, and one son Jon along the way.

The family moved to Houston, Texas in 1978, and settled in the beautiful community of Huntwick, where they lived for 45 years. Their house was always an open and revolving door of neighborhood kids, and Ted and Sally always welcomed the chance to have everyone around. The more the merrier.

While in Houston, Ted worked as a salesman and sales manager with several different companies, such as Interactive Data Corporation, BMC Software, and Neon Systems. He was regularly rewarded with recognition as a leader in sales. Ted had a reputation as a tough, but fair manager. He took great pride in the growth and success of those he mentored, and like a truly great leader, took great pride when his people succeeded.

Ted was a fighter. He was a three-time cancer survivor. He survived two separate bouts of lymphoma in 1993 and 1998. He further survived three separate forms of cancer in 2015. The last round of cancer only cost him a full stomach removal and one third of his left lung. Ted had a ton of love for the fine people at MD Anderson and marveled at how well they took care of him. The family would personally like to recognize all that MD Anderson did for Ted.

in 1998, when Ted and Sally's first grandchild was born, Ted affectionately became "Top" . Ted's transition from wonderful father to wonderful grandfather was seamless.

Ted retired from working in the early 2000s, and he and Sally, Top and Mimi, spent countless days traveling from Houston to Dallas to see their kids, and grandchildren. Top and Mimi loved spending holidays together with the family, and created great friendships with their kid's friends along the way.

Ted passed away peacefully, on his 81st birthday, with his daughters by his side. They celebrated him on his day, and he passed peacefully in his sleep in the afternoon. Ted received the greatest birthday present of all, he was able to spend it with his love, in Heaven. Sally affectionately called Ted, " my boyfriend". We are confident that she welcomed "her boyfriend" in heaven with open arms.

Ted was preceded in death by his wife Sally Topolski, his parents Ted and Mary, his brother Pat, and a host of friends whom we are sure lined up to greet him at the gates.

Ted is survived by his children, daughter Lisa Williams of Lewisville, Texas; her husband Mark, and their sons Matthew and John; his daughter Stacey Topolski Waide of Plano, Texas, and her twins Jack and Mary Katherine "Kate"; his son Jon Topolski of Tulsa, Oklahoma, his wife Sarah, and their daughters Whitney, Hollis, and Elin; as well as Ted's brother Gene Topolski, and his wife Coral of Naples, Florida.

A service for Ted will be held at St. Anne's Catholic Parish, in Coppell, TX on June 8th at 10 AM, with a Celebration of Life to follow in the afternoon. St. Anne's Catholic Parish is located at 180 Samuel Blvd., Coppell, TX 75019.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes anyone who desires to make a donation to the MD Anderson Cancer Center in memory of Ted. The link to donate is www.mdanderson.org/give. You will be able to give in his memory. The family asks that you use Theodore Topolski. It will link to his bio with the hospital.