Obituary of Peter D. Topp

Peter D. Topp, 60, of The Valley, Syracuse, died Thursday, July 14, 2016, at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Syracuse, following a valiant five-year battle with cancer. He was born and raised in Syracuse, NY, and lived for 20 years in Mesa, Arizona, before returning here three years ago. Peter was a Petty Officer 3rd with the U.S. Coast Guard, serving proudly with that organization from 1980 - 1984. He also worked as a radio operator for three stints at Antarctica. And, he worked on an oil rig off the coast of Louisiana for several months. Peter was also a pilot for a small commercial airline. He loved to travel, having spent time in Chile, South America, New Zealand, Australia, Alaska, Hawaii, and other areas of the U.S. Peter was predeceased by his parents, William and Nancy R. Topp, and his sister, Patricia Topp Virag. He is survived by his daughter, Jacqueline Ryan of Liverpool, his sister, Nancy Topp Morrison of Syracuse, brother William R. Topp (Holly) of Skaneateles, sister-in-law, Linda Topp of Syracuse, brother-in-law, John Virag of North Carolina, several nieces, nephews and cousins, his dear friend, Chris Spaulding, and his beloved dog, Fathom. There will be no calling hours, and funeral services will be privately held.