Jerry Middleton, 81, died Sunday afternoon at his home in Otis surrounded by his family.
He was born March 21, 1937, in Leverett, the son of Lester and Mable Cannon Middleton. He moved to Otis at a young age and attended Otis and Lee High School.
Mr. Middleton joined the U.S. Navy where he was a communication specialist. After the service he worked at the Blandford Service Plaza on the Massachusetts Turnpike and then as a carpenter, building several homes in Becket Woods. He then was hired as a laborer for the Massachusetts Highway Department in Otis. He worked out of several different state highway garages and retired in 1992 as a supervisory tree surgeon.
He enjoyed gardening, doing tree work, taking trips to the casinos and spending time with his family. In his younger years he was an avid hunter and fisherman.
Mr. Middleton is survived by his wife, the former Marion Failla, whom he married Sept. 10, 1960. He is also survived by four sons: Mark and fiancée Colleen Donahue of Pittsfield, Gregory and wife Marji of Otis, Brian and wife Valerie of Otis, and Blake and wife Barbara of Otis; two daughters: Cynthia Paterson and husband Scott of Blandford and Christine Middleton of Pittsfield; one brother: Dennis Middleton of North Carolina; two sisters: Judith Deming of Tolland and Elaine Smith of South Carolina; 19 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by another brother, Robert Middleton, who died in 2015.
A graveside service with military honors will be held Friday, May 4, at 11 a.m. at the Otis Cemetery. Visiting hours will be Thursday, May 3, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Kelly Funeral Home in Lee. Donations in his memory may be made to HospiceCare in the Berkshires in c/o the Kelly Funeral Home, 3 Main St., Lee, MA 01238. To leave a message of condolence or share pictures with the family, visit www.kellyfuneralhome.net.
