FEATURE STORY
Shared Values When Joseph “Joe” Topper Jr. ’77 VSB talks about VSB, the stories routinely circle back to values, which is no coincidence. The school’s fundamental principles and morals bear a striking resemblance to those of the Topper family, beginning with Joe’s father. Joseph V. Topper ’48 VSB, and his wife, Patricia, raised eight children where family and faith came first, followed by loyalty and service to others. His father spent part of his career with The Mobil Oil Corporation until he went into business for himself, which Joe Jr. describes as an economic necessity in order to support eight children.
Entrepreneurship remains a significant part of the Topper family. In 1987, Joe Jr. purchased a portion of his father’s fuel business and went on to establish Lehigh Gas Corporation and subsequently CrossAmerica Partners LP, from which he retired in 2015. He credits Villanova with helping him understand how to tie his values back to business. Today, he heads up Dunne Manning, a portfolio of companies including the legacy fuel business and other investments, with support from daughter Maura Topper ’08 VSB. More important, though, is the job Joe shares with wife Maureen (Gallagher) ’77 CLAS, as parents to Maura, Shannon ’10 CLAS, Connor ’12 VSB and Colleen ’16 VSB—one he happily characterizes as “never ending.”
“Like my father, Villanova taught me to respect everyone, regardless of background, job title or accomplishments. It’s one of the attributes I try to bring into my business. You can’t have a sense of community without respect.” – Joe Topper Jr.
Photo: Establishing the tradition were Joseph V. Topper ’48 VSB and his wife Patricia, seen here in the late 1940s.
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