The funeral of Colin Topp
The life of Colin Topp was celebrated in Brisbane yesterday, as dozens of bandsmen and women, family and friends gathered together for Colin’s funeral.
Dozens of past and present players of the Brisbane Excelsior organisation, Life Members, as well as representatives from other Brisbane bands gathered together to pay their final respects to a man who had dedicated his life to brass bands.
Ashley Gittins, who considered Col his mentor, played a very moving rendition of one of Col’s favourite pieces, “Watching the Wheat”. Other favourites of Col’s which the band played were “The Old Rugged Cross” and “When the Saints go Marching In”.
XLCR President, Rick Casagrande, delivered a Eulogy on behalf of the organisation, which was a wonderful tribute to Colin’s life.
At 4pm on Sunday 3rd November 2007 saw the passing of Excelsior Stalwart & Life Member Colin Topp.
A member of the XLCR organisation for some 50 years Colin dedicated his life to music and bringing music to the public. No one individual has and could not possibly contribute to the banding world as much as Colin.
The quite spoken, lead by example, Colin was an inspiration to everyone he spoke to or heard him play. One of bandings finest Euphonium players of the old school will be dearly missed by one and all. His contribution in the day to day life of brass bands was immeasurable and his influence on the young students that he taught will be his legacy to us all.
We send our deepest sympathies to his life long companion Dulcie and to all of Colin’s family. His frequent recalls of special times with his grandchildren were always a treat because we knew how much pleasure they brought him.
We salute the epitome of what it is to be a decent human being, father, husband, grandfather and the pleasure it has been to have known Colin Topp as part of the Excelsior Organisation.
Our dear Colin Topp is to be cremated at 10 am on Thursday 8 November at the Lakeview Chappel in the Albany Creek Crematorium grounds. His family has asked for The Excelsior Organisation to play at the chapel.
Rick Casagrande
