Saratoga Springs – Topper Milligi of Saratoga Springs died peacefully on the morning of July 12, 2008 with his loving wife Carmen at his side. He was 64 and courageously fought illness for over 10 years.

Born on the naval base in Pensacola, Florida in 1943, he was the loving son of the late Raymond and Lucille (Cunningham) Milligi. He attended Chaminade High School and graduated from West Islip High School where he played varsity baseball, basketball and football. He went on to attend Niagara University.

He married Carmen Accettella in 1964 and moved his family to Saratoga Springs in 1974 to open Topper Pontiac, Buick, GMC Inc. He was the owner/president of the South Broadway Dealership for over 30 years, where he earned many national GM Master Awards for both sales and service. His passion transcended the industry as generations of customers showed their loyalty and in return Topper was interwoven within the fabric of the Saratoga community. 

Topper’s love for Saratoga was visible as a former Rotarian, YMCA, Saratoga Golf & Polo Club member, and continued through the community with his love for baseball in Little League and Babe Ruth team sponsorships, as well as Little League coach. Topper often enjoyed Saratoga Performing Arts Center concerts with his family and was a loyal supporter of the Arts, along with many other community causes.

He was a gifted athlete who enjoyed golf, skiing, racquetball, and tennis. However, his true inspiration resided in the ocean surfs of Fire Island, Gilgo Beach and Ditch Plains, NY. Topper was a water enthusiast on Long Island, where he mastered his Blue Jay #1034 that he built with his father and sailed on the Great South Bay. Topper also sailed from Annapolis, MD to Newport, RI on a Block Island 40. His love for the ocean also inspired his love for the wonderful sounds of Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys. After hearing of Topper’s story, Brian Wilson personally dropped by to visit Topper to sing one of his hits “God Only Knows” and dedicated his Saratoga concert to “his good friend Topper.” As Topper said, “this was a dream of a lifetime.”

Topper is survived by his loving wife, Carmen, of 44 years, his three sons, Raymond, Andrew, Matthew, and his daughters, Ariane Fuller and Stacy O’Hara; sons-in-law John Fuller and Brendan O’Hara; and daughter-in-law Lisa Milligi. He also leaves his brightest lights in granddaughters Catherine O’Hara and Allison Fuller, and grandson Jack Fuller, all of Saratoga Springs. He also leaves his loving sister, Kristin Minninger, and loving brothers Michael and John Milligi of Long Island, NY. 

As waves to our shores, generations to come will be influenced by Topper’s life and his impact will be everlasting to those he loved. In celebration, friends and relatives gathered at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes in Saratoga Springs on Tuesday, July 15. 2008. As a loyal parishioner, his Funeral Mass was celebrated on Wednesday, July 16 at St. Clement’s Church in Saratoga. Father Francis E. Sullivan, C.Ss.R. officiated. 

True to his nature, it was Topper’s wish, even in death, to continue awareness to cure all motor neuron diseases such as ALS, by involvement, research, and support to realize a cure. In lieu of flowers, Topper Milligi memorial contributions can be sent to Community Hospice of Saratoga, 179 Lawrence Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, the ALS Regional Center of St. Peter’s Hospital, 19 Warehouse Row, Albany, NY 12205 or to the Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society, 4640 Captree Is., Captree Island, NY 11702.