Obituary of Gerard Topinka

Guitarist Gerard Topinka, 75, of Manalapan, passed away peacefully at home on June 5, 2019. He is survived by his loving wife, Beth; his son and daughter-in-law, Troy and Paige of Jackson, NJ; his daughter and son-in-law, Jaime and Tom Dancer of Millstone Twp; stepsons, George Asbeck of Stuart, FL; Samuel Asbeck of Miami, FL; 3 siblings, Fred and his wife, Karen of Brick; Andrew and his wife Patricia of Wayne; Robert and his wife Barbara of Philipsburg, PA.

The son of Ferdinand Topinka and Virginia Calvacca, Jerry spent his youth in Paramus, NJ, surrounded by an exuberant, close-knit group of friends. He treasured memories of summers spent waterskiing with his brothers and he relished sharing tales of his youthful Corvette escapades. Jerry served for six years in the Army National Guard, but his Chailo bandmates were his true “Band of Brothers,” together for 43 years. Jerry was well known in jazz circles, performing with guitar legends such as Les Paul and Martin Taylor. In recent years, he appeared regularly at the Princeton Salt Creek Grille with his jazz quartet, Groove 13.

Jerry will be fondly remembered by fellow artists for his energetic, warm, easygoing nature coupled with the highest standards of musicianship. He built a loyal, generation-spanning network of friends, culminating in his being honored by the Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation and REJS Jazz at a heartfelt tribute event in January 2019.

Visitation will be Monday June 10th, from 7:00-9:00pm and Tuesday June 11th from 4:00-8:00pm at the Freeman Manalapan Marlboro Funeral Home, 344 Route 9 North, Manalapan.  A funeral Liturgy will be Wednesday June 12, 2019 at 10:30am at St. Thomas More R.C. Church in Manalapan.  Condolences and directions can be found on our website at freemanfuneralhomes.com

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Jerry Topinka Memorial Scholarship Fund c/oTom Baldino, Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation, PO Box 8713, Red Bank, New Jersey 07701