ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΟΝ ΒΑΣΙΛΙΟΣ ΤΟΠΙΤΖΗΣ

Agamemnon Vasilios Topitzes, affectionately known as "Memo," was the youngest of eleven children of Vasilios Panagiotis Topitzes and Anastasia Makris. Vasilios later, in an attempt to assimilate into the American culture that he had adopted as an immigrant, changed his name to William. Also, several of Vasilios' and Anastasia's children further Anglicized their names by changing the family's last name to "Topping". Memo retained his Greek ethnic name.

Memo grew up in the grocery business. His father originally was a baker in Milwaukee and then bought his own store, where Memo and the other Topitzes children worked, along of their parents. Memo was born above his parents' store and would, one day come to own and operate that same store.

Shortly after graduating from high school, Memo joined the US Army and served in World War II. Returning from his service, Memo picked up where he left off, helping with the family grocery business. He took over the full responsibility of running the store after his mother passed away in 1947.

Memo met Virginia in 1952 and they married in 1953 shortly after his father passed away. The couple had one son, Paul. Together they worked at the family store, also serving the community in many other ways.

Memo spoke fluent Greek and Spanish, also learning enough of other languages to hold small conversations with his diverse community. Memo became actively involved in a number of neighborhood projects. Participating on many community committees and boards that were based with-in and played part in the well-being and revitalization of his neighborhood. He received numerous awards for his work as a volunteer, earning him the title of the "Unofficial Mayor of Walkers Point". In 1987 Memo retired, closing the store and spending time with his family.

Memo fell asleep in the Lord on November 21, 2012. The family of Memo held a visitation at the Krause Funeral Home on Wednesday, November 28, 2012 from 4:00-8:00 p.m. The traditional Greek Orthodox prayers, the Trisagion, were conducted at 7:00 PM. A second visitation was held by the family at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church (2160 Wauwatosa Avenue in Milwaukee) on Thursday, November 29, 2012 from 10:30-11:00 a.m. Memo's funeral service was held at 11:00 a.m. at the Church. His burial was at Glen Oaks Cemetery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he was laid to rest next to his parents, Vasililios Topitzes and Anastasia Makris Topitzes.