Charles A Middleton

Charles Albert Middleton, age 78, of Port Richey, FL passed away peacefully in the loving arms of his two daughters, Denny and JoAnn, on March 3, 2022. Charles “Butch” Middleton, is survived by his eldest daughter, Denise “Denny”, and his dog, Dixie, with whom he lived; his middle daughter, Loretta “Lori” Connelly (Joseph Connelly) of Milford, DE; his youngest daughter, JoAnn and her husband, Bernard “Page” Brooks of Apollo Beach. Butch is survived by four grandchildren: Jessica Middleton (Amos Corkell-Pickens), Jacob Whitehair (Emmalee Cole), Natalie and Christian Brooks as well as four great-grandchildren: Amos Corkell-Pickens, Leam Corkell, Charles Corkell, Rosalina Cole-Whitehair and the grandcats, Apollo and Simba. He is also survived by his youngest sister Terri Swearinger and his brother-in-law Barry Nelson. He will also be missed by many nieces and nephews including: Teri and Joe, Mark, Kim and Chris, Steve and Lisa, Phillip and RuthAnn, Justine, Walter Jr. “Sparky” and Nick. He was preceded in death and welcomed into heaven by his loving wife, Loretta Middleton, who had passed just two years earlier. He was also welcomed by his father, Charles Albert Middleton Sr.; his stepfather, Philip Vendon; his mother, Marguerite (Kindt-Middleton) Verdon; his two sisters, Marguerite "Peggy" Reesey and Ruth Zegaczewski; his brother Walter "Sparky" Middleton; his brother-in-law, Lane Nelson; a sister-in-law: Penny Nelson; three brother-in-laws, Robert Reesey, Gary Swearinger, John Zegaczewski; a niece, Miranda Swearinger; his eldest grandson, David Whitehair and his beloved cat, Stinky. Butch was born on January 3, 1944 in Port Deposit, MD. He grew up as the second eldest child of five children and recounted spending time with his family at his grandmother's farm in Maryland and summers at Woodland Beach in Smyrna, DE during the late 40s and early 50s when there was a boardwalk. He went to work to help support his family at age 14 after his father passed away from WWII related illness. He worked with his family at one of his earliest jobs making vinyl records at Capitol Records in Springfield, PA. He helped his stepfather Rudy, in the their mom and pop corner store in Philly. He became an over the road truck driver for most of his life, a member of the Teamsters Union. He lived in Chester and Philly growing up and later bought a home where he and Loretta raised their family in Chester in 1968 and then to Dover, DE in 1983. They retired to Milford, DE in 1992 and subsequently moved to Port Richey, FL in 2015. During his life he enjoyed building things and often made many home renovations. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing and crabbing. He earned the title, "One Shot Charlie", because he always got his buck with one shot on a Monday morning in Potter County, PA. He especially enjoyed bowling. He took up the sport with his daughter JoAnn and her husband Page and continued bowling for many years on leagues in Dover, DE. He met many friends some of which who have become family including, Gretchen Wagner, with whom he bowled since the late 1990s. He and Loretta loved to go on rides, liked traveling, and vacationing on Anna Maria Island with their daughter, Denny. After the passing of his wife, he liked spending time with his family, going to Anna Maria Island and Hudson Beach to watch the beaches for boats and dolphins. Services will be private. Per their wishes, their ashes will be launched to sea in a biodegradable seashell off Anna Maria Island on April 30th, 2022, what would have been their lives 57th wedding anniversary.