NATICK: Charles Sears Topham, 73, of Natick and Brewter, Ma. died Tuesday, July 3, 2018 at Parlin Hospice in Wayland after complications from Alzheimer’s disease. He is survived by his devoted wife, Mary Mullany, with whom he shared 38 years of marriage.
Born in Framingham to the (late) John and Emma (Sears) Topham, Charles graduated from Marion High School in Framingham, earned his undergraduate degree from American International College in Springfield, and his master’s degree from Northeastern University in Boston.
Charles was passionate about teaching and his career spanned many decades teaching English to middle school and high age students in Wayland, Belmont and finally at St. Patrick’s in Stoneham before retiring. His passion for learning and teaching extended beyond the classroom serving as Director of Instruction for Evelyn Wood Reading Dynamics Institute in New England. He always maintained his realtor license on the side with John Campbell Realty in Cambridge.
Charles was an avid golfer, loved sailing, served on the Board of Directors at Ocean Edge Resort in Brewster for close to 30 years, was a trustee for Bacon Free Library in South Natick, loved music,enjoyed travel, was a devout reader, and wrote books on the English language, among them: The Great Learning Book and articles for the Boston Sunday Globe on adoleslence. He also was a very active parishioner at St. Andrew’s,in Wellesley teaching Sunday School regularly and serving as an usher.
In addition to his wife, Charles is survived by his two sons: Evan and Colin Topham, both of Boston; his sister Betsy Valko of Ohio; his brother-in-laws Thomas Mullany, DMD and his wife Helen of Great Barrington, Kevin Mullany and his wife Mickey of Albuquerque, NM, and Joseph Mullany and his wife Cori of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan; and many nieces and nephews. His brother, Jack Topham predeceased him.
A memorial service and celebration of life will be held at St Andrews Church Wellesley at noon on August 21, 2018.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Charles’ name be made to: Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Ave., 7th Floor, New York, NY 10001 or Cape Cod Alzheimer’s Family Support Center, 2095 Main Street, Brewster, MA 02631.