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The Topakbashian Family: Living Life to the Fullest

Marple Friends & Neighbors, March 2022
Alexis and Alex Topakbashian

Meet the Topakbashians: Alexis, Alex and their three children who live life to the fullest and do all they can to make the most out of life. If there is one thing their Armenian heritage has taught them, it is, don’t just survive—thrive. Whether it’s at work, at their church or in the Broomall community, that philosophy has inspired them to make a positive impact on everything they do.

Alexis grew up in Doylestown with two sisters and a brother and was the first of her family to move West — to Delaware County that is. Back when she was a student at Central Bucks East High School she was involved in the National Honors Society, the Key Club (a club that performs acts of service in their communities), student government, theater and sports. She chose Boston University for college after going on some college tours with her older sister. “I was along for the ride and I realized how much I liked the city of Boston,” Alexis said. “When we toured Boston University I felt right at home there. I was also looking to study television and film and they had a great program.”

After graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Film and Television Production, she pursued her dream of living in New York City for a few years and worked in the film industry. Although she enjoyed the city and the social scene, she ultimately wanted to move back to Pennsylvania to be closer to her family. Then in 2006, she started working as a consultant for Gap International, Inc., a global performance consulting company headquartered in Philadelphia. The company’s mission is to close the gap between where an organization is and where its leaders want to be. As a Vice President at Gap International, Alexis partners with senior executives around the world to impact innovation, execution, alignment, culture, leadership and overall growth. “My company has expertise in having people work together in a unified and aligned way that affects performance and fulfills the purpose of the company.“ Alexis explained. “The best part of my job is working with clients in diverse businesses all over the world and helping them fulfill their purpose.”

Although she has no plans to quit her day job she also loves doing what she calls “circular economy” — reselling clothes, toys and furniture through different online platforms and outlets. “I get a lot of joy knowing that someone else can use items that our family no longer needs,” she added. In her spare time she also loves reading, getting together with her book club and taking long walks with her dog around her Broomall neighborhood.

Jacob, Jemma and Joseph Topakbashian

Meanwhile Alex grew up in Delaware County and spent most of his life in Broomall. When Alex was 10 he, his brother and his parents moved to Broomall from Upper Darby. He attended Paxon Hollow Middle School and then Marple Newtown High School, where he played football and basketball. When it came time to choose a college, Alex said it was a no brainer. “Growing up we drove by Villanova University so often that I just assumed that was where I was supposed to go,” Alex joked. He ended up liking it so much that after earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration he furthered his education there, earning an MBA and then a Master of Science in Analytics. After finishing his degrees, he continued to give back to Villanova by advising students in the MBA program with their capstone projects. These projects allow students to partner with corporations and nonprofits and assist them in exploring possible solutions to market issues they are currently facing.

When Alex was an undergraduate at Villanova, he interned at Gap International, Inc. and was eventually hired to work there full-time. Now as Vice President, what he loves most about his job is the opportunity it’s given him to travel around the world. His job has taken him to places like Australia, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia and Africa, just to name a few. Outside of his work life Alex keeps busy playing and coaching basketball, building and repairing things around the house and inventing new grill and marinade recipes.

Alex and Alexis’ paths crossed back when they were both members of their church youth groups. Although they belonged to two different churches, they frequently went on retreats and sports trips together. Years of building a friendship and a connection led to a romance in their twenties. They married in 2005 at St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Armenian Apostolic Church in Wynnewood. The wedding ceremony was followed by a reception at the Sheraton Society Hill in Philadelphia with lots of family and friends and plenty of traditional Armenian music. Both Alex and Alexis love to travel, and aside from the many places their careers have taken them, they’ve also had the opportunity to visit Jerusalem and Armenia for pleasure.

Two years after their wedding the couple settled in the Old Marple Estates section of Broomall, on a secluded, quiet street with lots of friendly neighbors. “It’s a perfect location,” said Alexis. “We’re close to the Main Line and to the city. And I love that going to my parents house is just a quick trip up the Blue route.”  Alexis also has her sisters close by. As luck would have it, shortly after Alexis moved west of Doylestown, her sisters followed suit and live just down the road in Bryn Mawr and Westtown. 

Another perk to living here is that Alex’s parents and  his brother live right here in Broomall. “Because I grew up here, I love the fact that I get to see familiar faces and I get to watch my children become Marple Tigers,” said Alex. “We are fortunate to have my parents nearby to help with the kids and dog and we’ve also got cousins in the Marple Newtown area,” said Alex. “Our kids love spending time with family, especially their grandparents who dote on them!”

The Topakbashians have three children; Jacob, Jemma and Joseph. Alexis said that thanks to their oldest son Jacob, a kind and funny 14-year-old, they’re able to keep things in the house running smoothly. “He started making his own lunches back in fourth grade and is happy to help out with laundry and dishes,” said Alexis proudly. “He’s definitely my right-hand man.”  Jacob enjoys playing soccer and basketball, watching movies and writing and making YouTube videos. As a young boy, he attended Camp Future Stars at the Academy of Notre Dame and now works as a counselor in training there. After attending Armenian Sisters Academy in Radnor for elementary and middle school, Jacob is now a freshman at Marple Newtown High School where he enjoys English, history and video production, and plays on the soccer team.

Jemma was born in 2009 and is a creative and artistic seventh grader at Armenian Sisters Academy. She enjoys dancing, performing, 90s movies, fashion and listening to music. She and her dad have always had similar taste in music and attended a Paramour concert together in New York City when she was just five years old. As a dedicated dancer and member of a local competition dance team, she travels to competitions throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. On the rare nights she’s home, she organizes family movie and trivia nights. Her parents say when it comes to school and dance, she’s hardworking and dedicated. “Jemma notices all the little details,” said Alexis. “She’s committed to excellence!”

The youngest Topakbashian, Joseph (Joey), is a funny, sweet and sensitive third grader who also attends Armenian Sisters Academy. He loves spending time with friends and playing video games and sports with his dad. “Joey wants to be happy and wants everyone around him to be happy, too,” said Alexis. An athletic boy, he takes after his dad and gravitates toward any sport that involves a ball. He plays travel soccer for Marple, basketball for the Malvern League and baseball for the Marple Newtown Little League.  Some of his teammates and coaches even call him “Topak,” which was Alex’s nickname growing up in Marple Newtown. 

In August of 2020 the Topakbashians added a dog to their family. The very same day that Alex and Alexis adopted Gracie, Alex’s parents decided to adopt Gracie’s sister, Cookie. Gracie is a bit shy, but loves playing with her sister and taking long walks around the neighborhood.

The Topakbashians take great pride in their Armenian heritage and are active in their church as well as in the Armenian community. “We are committed to having our children stay connected to their Armenian culture and heritage,”  said Alexis. “It helps them to learn the language, music  and traditions of our culture. There are so few Armenian schools in the United States, given that Armenian Sisters Academy is so close to home, we had to take advantage and send our children there.”

Alex serves as the Chairman of the Parish Council at St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Armenian Apostolic Church and he’s also on the diocesan council of the Armenian Church of America.  Alexis  enjoys the volunteer work she does through the church. Last year, she and some of the other members helped senior citizens find appointments for the COVID-19 vaccine when it first became available.  

Whether it’s volunteering, sports, dancing, school or work, all five of the Topakbashians always go all in. “We try to make the most out of everything we do,” said Alexis. “That’s how you make the most out of life. Live it to the fullest!” added Alex. 

Do you know a Marple family, individual or nonprofit group who should become known by our community? Make your nominations for upcoming feature articles by emailing your ideas to Holly Stupak at HStupak@BestVersionMedia.com.