1934 – 2015

AUBURN — Anton Topole, 80, of Buckfield passed away on Sunday, Aug. 16, with his family by his side.

He was born Dec. 1, 1934, in Celje, Yugoslavia, to Izadora (Cuk) and Anton Topole. He spent two years in international refugee camps before coming to America at the age of 16.

Anton served our country for eight years as a member of the U.S. Air Force before returning home to complete his education, earning a Bachelor of Arts in history and government at the University of Maine at Orono and his master’s degree in political science at Indiana University.

As a professor of history and political science at Ricker College and the University of Maine at Presque Isle, Anton shared his passion for history and politics with his students. During this time, he accompanied his students abroad while they completed field studies on the history and educational systems of several eastern European countries. He later worked for the state of Maine as a manager in the Department of Labor.

Anton enjoyed connecting with others around the world through his ham radio. He had amassed quite a collection of calling cards from the many people he spoke with over the years, displaying them with pride. As a master gardener, he enjoyed playing with soil — not dirt, as he often corrected — surrounding his home with a beautiful variety of flowers and trees.

He leaves behind his wife and friend of 32 years, Janet Topole; daughters, Caroline Ray, her husband, Mike, and their children, Gina and Matthew, of Framingham, Mass., Alexandra Topole and her son, Eric, of Miami, Fla., Katherine Sirois, her husband, Lyndon, and their children, Alexander, his fiancée, Amy Gauthier, and Stephanie of Minot; sons, Anton and Eric; and grandsons, Anton and Luke of Queensland, Australia, and Nicholas Cimato and his husband, Tian, of New York, N.Y.

You are invited to offer condolences and pay tribute to Anton’s life by visiting his guest book at www.thefortingroupauburn.com.