Tony was born on February 7, 1934 to Nick and Mary Toporowski (nee Novak) in the district of Pulp River, Manitoba.

His music talent showed very early in life.  At the age of 3 his father made his a Fiddle from a piece of board and cotton string for Violin strings.  By the age of 7 years, his parents bought him a real violin from Eaton's and what a trill that was for him.

Tony attended Riga School and the teacher was a musician – Dr. Walter Yury taught the Violin to Tony for a few years.  By now Tony played some by ear.  Tony played in a high school band and for many farm wedding, dances and box socials.  After high school, he had a band called Prairie Ramblers.  But hard times took him to look for work in Toronto, upon a relatives suggestion.  In 1952, Tony went working on any job he could get and taking evening classes to better himself.  Soon he got a job being a Station Agent for CPR in Belleville, Ontario, later moving back to Toronto and working at Union Station until retirement.  During this time music, fiddle playing was always first. 

In 1958, Tony married his high school friend from Pine River.  They raised 4 children and two of his children are following Tony's footsteps.  His wife predeceased him in 2013. 

In Tony's life he entered and won several awards with the Fiddlers Club, also especially the Shellborn competitions.  Tony had composed and written several tunes but he also has written three waltzes, and holds all copyright to The Flamingo Waltz, The Waterdown Waltz, and Evergreen Waltz. 

Tony is truly dedicated to his music.  A poor farm boy, who had to achieve his life dream, almost by himself.