Rick Middleton Legacy

June 26,1952 – September 14, 2024

Childhood friend, high-school sweetheart, and loving husband to Christine for 53 years

Ferocious father, devoted dad to Jessica, Courtney (Paul), and Zachary (Sarah)

Proud Papa to McKenzie, Ella, Bradon, Skyler, Eva, Auria, Eden, Vera, and Jaxon

And Great Papa to Thomas and Nora

Truth-seeker, counselor, dog-lover.

Poet.

Fisherman, fighter, teacher, and friend.

Humble, courageous, views to defend

Self-taught, self-effacing, self-deprecating.

Rock.

Passionate, proud, excitable, and loud.

Joker, inspirer, giver, our anchor.

A thirst for knowledge though no formal study

Learning scripture and Thoreau, philosopher, scholar

A man of faith, skeptical of religion,

A carpenter critical of his own creations…

One of Rick's favorite pastimes was to go for drives through the countryside. On one occasion he found himself on a dirt road in front of a piece of land with an abandoned, dilapidated house. Where most saw ruin, Rick only saw potential. The effort required to restore the house, symbolic of the commitment required to build a strong family, fueled his desire to bring his plan to fruition.  He was driven to track down the owner to ask him to sell the property. After a year of rejection, and despite many skeptics, Rick never waivered.  He convinced the owner to believe in him and sell the land. Without any prior knowledge or experience, Rick learned and mastered every skill and trade all on his own. Over the next ten years, in their spare time, with every extra penny, every evening, every weekend, board by board and stone by stone, Rick and Chris toiled to transform the once decrepit structure into a sturdy, enduring home. There they lived a simple and beautiful life. Over the many years that followed, he continued to perfect the place where family, friends, and cherished pets gathered to create unforgettable moments and reap the benefits of his unfaltering love. His legacy will be honored through long walks, deep conversations, campouts, cookouts, bonfires and the creation of many more memories.

The family would love to collect memories of Rick. Notecards will be available, or bring your own sentiment, of how he made you laugh, what he taught you, or how he influenced your life.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Humane Society of Wayne County .

Wayne County Humane Society
1475 County House Rd., Lyons NY 14489
Tel: 1-315-946-3389
Web: http://waynehumane.org