Obituary of Terence (Terry) Topak

October 4, 1946 – Coleman, Alberta
December 16, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of an amazing husband, father, and grandpapa. Terence (Terry) James Topak passed on Thursday, December 16, 2021 at the age of 75. 

Terry was born in Coleman, AB in 1946, and remained there for his youth until joining the Royal Canadian Air Force at age 17 before being stationed in Ottawa, ON. After honourable discharge, he moved to Calgary before deciding to go backpacking around the world. He met his lovely wife Linda while working two winters in the Swiss village of Murren, also working on a kibbutz in Israel during his time in Europe. Terry and Linda began travelling together, moving to and working in New Zealand where they married in 1973, followed by time spent living in Australia. Returning to Calgary after years abroad with Linda, Terry started his career in the oil patch as a geophysicist with Home Oil, before eventually becoming an entrepreneur and starting several successful seismic brokerage and surveying companies. Terry loved time with friends and family, skiing, and spending weekends at his cabin in Invermere BC. He cherished time with his four grandchildren, and will be sincerely missed by many. 

Terry will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 48 years, Linda (née Murchie), his children, Grady (Christian) Topak, and Danyka (Mike) Topak Matlo; his grandchildren, Emmy, Ben, Parks, and Waylon; as well is his in-laws, Wendy (Doug) Zimmer, and Grant (Debbie) Murchie. Terry will also be missed by several nieces, nephews, cousins and lifelong friends. He was predeceased by treasured immediate family members, father Peter Topak, his mother Anne Topak, and his sister Marlene Hazuka.

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff of the Pulmonary and Cardiac Units at the Foothills and Peter Lougheed hospitals for the care of Terry over the years, as well as the staff of Units 36 and 61 at the Foothills who provided him great care and comfort in his last days. 

With mounting Omicron numbers and positivity rates, we have decided to cancel the January 8th memorial so that we may be in a better spot to safely celebrate Terry’s memory in the future. Another Celebration of Life will be announced in the future.Condolences, memories and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Terry Topak, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.