About me

Martin Topham Biography

 

I was born in Long Branch NJ, October 7, 1957 to Richard and Rosemary Topham. I have an older sister, Debbie and an older brother, Richard Jr. When I was 5 my sister, Ruthann was born on December 24th. What a Christmas Eve that year! Mom at the hospital, in labor, Dad trying his best to remember who got what and how to be at two places at the same time. Well there was on mix up between my brother and my present, but there was no mix up at the hospital. Mom came home with our new little sister, Ruthann.

 

My interest for music started early. I wanted to play guitar that was it. I was fascinated at the age of 7. My father gave me my 1^st guitar when I was 9. I took lessons and in Jr. High School I joined my friend who played the drums and we started a band "Diapason". Through High School, our band drifted apart, but I still longed to play music.

 

 

After graduating Methacton High School, located outside of Philadelphia, PA., in 1976, I spent the summer working for R.J. Guzzi Roofing Co. back in Long Branch, NJ where I was born. R.J. Guzzi Roofing was my grandfather’s company. This experience was great. 18 years old, working in the sun, by the beach, I couldn’t think life could get any better.

 

One day in Long Branch when I was working for my grandfather, it was too hot to work on the roof. This was the heat wave that struck the East Coast in July of 1977. I decided to hang out down at North End Beach for the day. It was about 11:00 am and I was sitting on the beach when this little girl tapped me on the shoulder and told me that there were three men in the water and they needed help. I ran over to the next beach and saw these men. I immediately determined something was wrong.

 

In New Jersey it is very easy to get caught in the undertow. I did not hesitate to swim out. I got past the breakers and one by one I pulled them to where the waves would do the rest to take them to shore.  I finally pulled the last man to where the waves were breaking and I noticed others were helping them. I was exhausted. As soon as I got out of the water I asked them if everyone was OK. I left with their “Thank You” ringing in my ears.

 

The next day I went to the same beach and again I saw the little girl with her Mom. They told me that the men I helped were inquiring about me. They wanted me to come to their house to thank me again. The little girl pointed out the house where they lived.

 

I will always remember that day. I knocked on the door and Rev. Jules A Delanghe answered and asked me to come in. He said thank you again and gave me a book. It was called “The Philosophy of Jesus: Real Love” and was written by the Reverend.  We talked for a minute and I left with the book. I went home to my grandmother, Ruth Guzzi’s, house and when I went in she asked “What’s wrong? You look white as a ghost.” I told her the story and when I opened the book there was a hundred dollar bill and a note written on the inside cover. It read:

 

To Marty Topham for services rendered to three clergymen while they were in trouble swimming in the ocean.

 

Signed,

Rev. Jules A Delanghe

 

I kept that book for a long time reading parts of it now and then. The book “The Philosophy of Jesus: Real Love” was about the unconditional love that God and Jesus Christ has for us.

 

I no longer have the book, but the message in it served its purpose. In September of 1977 I packed my bags and moved to California. Approximately 10 years later I gave that book to a friend who was very depressed and suicidal. I told her “God loves you” when I gave it to her. I believe in my heart this book was meant for me to read and to spread the Good News to my friend about God’s love for us.

 

In 1986 in Van Nuys, California at a church called "Church on the Way” I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior.

 

In 1986 I was married to Michelle Epler and in 1989 my Son Matthew was born. Due to some  complications during the pregnancy it was necessary for me to raise Matthew. I had plenty of help from my Parents and Family Members. I especially like to thank Raymond Epler for his help, for this was very difficult times for all of us. Words can not express the gratitude towards my Parents Richard and Rosemary Topham who raised Matthew from 1997 to 2006 because of my Alcohol Abuse. By the Grace of God I am sober now. I entered the Salvation Army Rehabilitation Center in July 2008, and this is when my life changed. The years between 1997 and 2006 were spent struggling with my disease of Alcohol, but God's amazing Grace led me to the ARC in Carpinteria Ca. I want to give back what was freely given to me. This inspired me to write Given Back. The ARC changes lives, I learned to be productive in Society. I learned that Alcoholism is a Disease and that you can recover if you take Action, the 12 Steps work, and for me believing in my higher Power, Jesus Christ, all things are possible.

 

Click here for the March 26th, 2011
Santa Barbara News Press article about me!