Reverend John Topper, O.S.M., 86, passed away Saturday, April 12, in Portland, Oregon.

“Fr. Jack,” as he was known, was a solemn professed friar and priest of the Order of Friar Servants of Mary (Servites) and had served as Director of The National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother, The Grotto, for some 25 years.

Fr. Jack was born on July 23, 1938 in Chicago, IL, to Raymond and Helen Topcewski. Before entering the Servite Order, Fr. Jack enjoyed an accomplished career in public and private education, working as a teacher and administrator within the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Catholic school system. He held Masters degrees in American History from Loyola University, Chicago; Educational Supervision and Administration from Roosevelt University, Chicago; and Divinity from the Catholic Theological Union, Chicago. He entered the Servite Order in 1982 and completed his formation in Chicago and Denver, making solemn profession as a Servite Friar in 1987. He was ordained to the priesthood later that same year. Prior to being assigned to Oregon, Fr. Jack served as a parish priest in St. Louis and Chicago, and as a campus minister in California. He was named Director of The Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother, The Grotto, in Portland, Oregon in 1991 and remained at The Grotto until his retirement in 2016.

Fr. Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Helen; and his sister, Barbara (Topcewski) Martini. He is survived by his brother Raymond Topcewski and sister-in-law Janice, along with many nieces, nephews and friends.

Celebration of Life

Chapel of Mary

The National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother (The Grotto)

Visitation: Tuesday, April 22, 6 – 8 p.m.

Vigil – Prayer for the deceased, 6 p.m

Servite Rosary, 6:30 p.m.

Funeral Mass: Wednesday, April 23, 10 a.m.

Interment will be private.