Thomas Toporovich

Thomas Toporovich - Long Time Baltimore County Leader and Community Organizer Thomas “Tom” Toporovich died Monday, 22 April following an extended illness at the Riverview Nursing Center, Baltimore MD. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Edie (nee Goehringer) in 2004. Tom is survived by his nieces Julie Dunbar, Jaime Toporovich, Patricia Williams and Laurie Streeter and by his nephew Douglas Begbie. With Tom’s passing comes the end of a life of brilliant and compassionate service to his country, community and family. He was born in 1930 to Polish immigrant family in New York City. A child of the depression he developed early a deep concern for his family and community which stood as a hallmark throughout his life. Tom attended and graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School which he entered as one of only 1,000 students selected from over 25,000 applicants. He later furthered his education graduating summa cum laude from the Baltimore College of Commerce which became the University of Baltimore. Soon after graduating from high school Tom was employed by Walsh Construction which was one of the five largest companies in the world. In 1951 he was sent to the Walsh Construction site in Morrisville, PA on what was the largest construction project in the world. Walsh was building a fully integrated steel mill on 4,000 acres. By the age of 23 he had worked his way up to serve as the assistant superintendent of the site. 1951 was also the year he married his beloved Edie who was a joy in his life. Tom stepped aside from his work at Walsh Construction to serve his country during the Korean War as a decorated Chemical, Biological, and Radiological NCO at Ft. Bragg, NC. Following the war, he rejoined Walsh this time for a small $1.5 million job at Sparrows Point, MD which grew to $4 million and lasted for 11 years. Despite offers to move out of the Greater Baltimore area Tom and Edie chose Dundalk as their home. In 1969 the County Executive asked Tom to join his staff as Executive Assistant. This began the next chapter of his life this time in public service when he succeeded in building in new precedents and improvements for Baltimore County. Tom eventually became the Corporate Secretary to the County Council which is the role where he finished a total of 22 years of county service. In retirement Tom served with over 50 groups including as President of the Dundalk Optimists Club Foundation, a member of the Board of Directors of the Dundalk Heritage Association, President of the Police Assistance and Relief Fund of Baltimore County, many roles including President of the Dundalk Jaycees and member of the Board of Directors of the Dundalk Community College Foundation. He maintained a deep and abiding love of the people of his community as he advised, mentored and cared for his neighbors for the last 50 years of his life. On April 22, 2019 a lifetime of service ended with Tom’s passing but the impact of his kindness and care will live on for many years through the lives of the people he positively impacted. The family will receive friends at CONNELLY FUNERAL HOME OF DUNDALK, 7110 Sollers Point Road, on Monday, May 6th from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm.  A funeral service to celebrate Thomas' life will be held on Tuesday, May 7th, 9:00 am, at St. Rita's Catholic Church, 2907 Dunleer Rd, Dundalk, MD 21222.  Interment will follow the service at Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery, 11501 Garrison Forest Rd, Owings Mills, MD 21117. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Dundalk Jaycees, The Optimist Club of Dundalk, or Police Assistance and Relief Fund of Baltimore County