OTIS, Mass. — Jerry Middleton, 81, died Sunday afternoon, April 29, 2018, at his home in Otis surrounded by his family.

He was born in Leverett, Mass., on March 21, 1937, 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 Turnpike then as a carpenter building several homes in Becket Woods. He then was hired as a laborer for the State of Mass 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 and 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 on September 10, 1960. He is also survived by four sons, Mark and his fiancé, Colleen Donahue, of Pittsfield, Gregory and his wife Marji of Otis, Brian and his wife Valerie of Otis and Blake and his wife Barbara of Otis; two daughters, Cynthia Paterson and her husband Scott of Blandford and Christine Middleton of Pittsfield; one brother, Dennis Middleton of North Carolina; two sisters, Judith Deming of Tolland, Mass., and Elaine Smith of South Carolina; 19 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. 

He is predeceased by another brother, Robert Middleton, who died in 2015.

Funeral notice: A graveside service with Military Honors will be held on Friday, May 4, 2018, at 11 a.m. at the Otis Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Thursday evening, May 3, 2018, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Kelly Funeral Home in Lee. 

Donations in his memory may be made to Hospice Care in the Berkshires in c/o the Kelly Funeral Home 3 Main Street Lee, MA 01238.