RACINE - John P. Topalian, 85, passed away peacefully at his residence on Monday, December 12, 2011.John was born in Marseille, France on January 10, 1926, to Bagdassar and Paremsem (nee Vidian) Topalian. He married Corinne (Koharig) Mikaelian in Beirut, Lebanon on May 15, 1960 and relocated to Racine shortly thereafter in July and remained married for 51 years.John was employed at Twin Disc as a stock selector for 21 years retiring in 1986. After retirement, he kept himself occupied with his passion and expertise as a master tailor for the Racine community. His reason for living was made through his large acts of kindness for all those he knew. He was a very giving, supportive and heartful father figure and for that he will always be remembered as an adored husband, father, father-in-law and grandfather.John served in the French military for one year and also in the United States Army for two years from 1956-1958. He was a long time member of St. Mesrob Armenian Apostolic Church.Survivors include his loving wife Corinne (Koharig), his children, James (Sachiko) Topalian of Palos Verdes Estates, CA, Paul Topalian of Racine, Gary (Aylin) Topalian of Lincolnshire, IL and Mike (Anita) Topalian of Franklin, WI; grandchildren, Stephanie and Christopher of Tokyo, Japan, Nicholas Topalian, Ariana and Aras Topalian, and Brandon and Natalya Topalian; brother, Joseph (Angele) Topalian, sister, Jacqueline (Lucien) Bezon and brother, Carlos Topalian all of Marseille, France; brother-in-law Paul (Roselyn) Mikaelian of Racine, brother-in-law, Varoujan Mikaelian of Racine; cousins, nieces and nephews and other relatives in the United States and France.He was preceded in death by his parents; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Artine and Aghavnie Mikaelian, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Daniel (Berjouhie) Mikaelian; brothers, George Topalian, who passed away at the age of 12, Garo Topalian and Michel Topalian all of Marseille, France.Funeral services for Jean Pierre 'Avak' will be held at St. Mesrob Armenian Apostolic Church, 4605 Erie Street, on Friday, December 16, 2011 at 10:00am. with Rev. Fr. Yeprem Kelegian and Rev. Fr. Hovhan Khoja-Eynatyan officiating. Interment will follow at Graceland Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the church on Thursday evening from 6pm. until 9pm. with a Prayer service at 7:30pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Mesrob Armenian Apostolic Church.A very special thank you to the nurses and social workers at Franciscan Villa and Hospice Alliance for their endless care and loving support for John and also to nurses Julie Ticer and her daughter, Jenee, who gave Corinne and her family the additional love, care and support during his time of need.