Former Bridgehampton Fire Chief Raymond Topping Sr. Dies at 85

Raymond H. Topping Sr., a life-long Bridgehampton resident and 66-year member of the Bridgehampton Fire Department, died Jan. 19.

Born to Harold and Myfanwy Topping on Nov. 17, 1927, he was 85.

Topping was married to Dorothy Dunwell, of Southampton, in 1951 and worked on the Topping family farm until the late 1950s, when farm equipment repair shop Harold H. Topping & Son opened. He retired from the business in 1992.

He was a chief of the Bridgehampton Fire Department and commissioner of the Bridgehampton Fire District, like his father before him and his son, Raymond Topping Jr., after him.

In addition to his service to the fire department, he was a past member of the Bridgehampton School Board.

Topping belonged to the Peconic Bay Car Club and the Antique Automobile Club of America, through which he displayed that collection of classic cars, trucks, and tractors that he restored himself, according to his children.

Topping was predeceased by his wife, Dorothy D. Topping, and his brother, John H. Topping.

He is survived by three children, son Raymond H. Topping Jr; and daughters Diane T. Howe and husband Don; and Leanne T. Hostetter and husband Amos.

Topping is also survived by seven grandchildren, Raymond J. Topping; Kimberly T. Eroh and husband Bobby; Devan Howe and fiance Andrew Kuettner;    Danielle Howe; Jacob Hostetter; Joshua Hostetter and Matthew Hostetter; and two great-grandchildren, Adam Topping and Jack Topping.

The funeral was held Thursday at Bridgehampton United Methodist Church, officiated by the Rev. Joanne S. Utley. Follow by interment at Edgewood Cemetery in Bridgehampton.

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