On Sunday, Feb. 13, Lloyd Alden Topping, Jr., “Behe” as he was known to family or “Topper” as he was known to friends, passed away at Connecticut Hospice in Branford after a long battle with heart disease and after mourning the loss of his beloved wife of 63 years, Joyce.

Lloyd was a long-time resident of Guilford. Guilford is where Lloyd met the love of his life and raised their family. When not out drag racing, bringing a car to a car show, or fixing cars in the garage, Lloyd could be found in his workshop making furniture for people he loved. He took great pride in his craftsmanship and knowing his pieces would be displayed in their homes.

In the late 1950s, Lloyd served his country in the Air Force as a mechanic, fixing everything from Jeeps to aircraft. Following his passion for mechanics, Lloyd later worked at Heller Chevrolet in Guilford and Mark Ford in Madison before opening his own auto repair shop business and, later, an automotive machine shop. Lloyd was well-known and admired for his engine and transmission work among racers and auto enthusiasts. In his later years, Lloyd worked for and retired from his position as janitor in the Clinton Public Schools at Eliot Middle School where several of his grandchildren attended. Somehow, he always had a dollar to give them to spoil them with snacks. Lloyd would often drive his 1948 yellow Chevy truck (with flames on the hood) to work, much to the delight of the students.

Lloyd loved all there was to love about cars, especially classic cars that he could build, rebuild, and race. There was never a time that a partially rebuilt engine wasn’t in the garage of the Topping home on College Street in Clinton. In his youth, you could often find him at the Connecticut drag strip. Later on, his enthusiasm for cars turned into traveling to various cruise nights to display his hard work for other gear heads like him. Those summer cruise nights at Marty’s in Westbrook will never be forgotten.

Above all else, Lloyd loved his wife, Joyce. Attached at the hip for 63 years, they did everything together. Joyce went with Lloyd to every drag race, every car show, every racing-related museum or exhibit. She also shared his love of drag racing; they were both avid John Force fans and even met him in person. When Joyce left us unexpectedly in January, it took a toll on Lloyd. It was as if a candle was suddenly extinguished and nobody could find the matches to reignite the flame. While his departure from this earth was heartbreaking and his presence will be missed, we take solace in that they are reunited once again.

Lloyd was predeceased by his wife of 63 years, Joyce Suker Topping, who passed just five weeks prior.

Lloyd’s legacy lives on in his family left on this earth: Lloyd Topping III (Linda Topping) and their children Amanda Topping (Benjamin Morrison) and Daniel Topping, Chris Topping (Karyn Topping) and their children Chris Topping, Jr., and Kathryn Topping, Diane Millett (Donald Millett) and their children Ashley Tuck (Frank Tuck) and Nicole Millett, and Shawn Topping and his children Timothy Topping (Emily Topping) and Shawn Topping, Jr.

Lloyd also lives on in his great-grandchildren Madison Corella and Logan Corella (Nicole Millett), Violet Topping (Chris Topping Jr.), and Joe Topping and Riley Topping (Timothy and Emily Topping).

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 26, at Alder Brook Cemetery in Guilford. Memorial contributions to Connecticut Hospice or Cosgrove Animal Shelter are welcome. A reception will be held following the service for all those who wish to attend.