MIDDLETON, Robert James (Bob) - July 15, 1923 – October 13, 2021
Bob Middleton passed away, peacefully in his sleep, on Tuesday, October 13, 2021 at the age of 98 years and is now with his beloved wife, Patricia, who predeceased him on December 28, 2013.
Bob is survived by his sons Dan (Debbie), Dave (Dianne), along with grandchildren, Julie, Lisa, Christopher, Christine, Leigh and nine great-grandchildren.
Also survived by his brother Bill Middleton (Marie). Bob joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in August 1942 at the age of 19 in Toronto.
Bob served his country and the free world during WWII as a Navigator in Lancaster and Halifax bombers. He returned 33 times to the home base of 431 Squadron located at the Croft aerodrome in northern England.
Bob returned to Toronto in April 1945 and married his fiancé, Patricia, in 1946 and started to build their house where they raised their sons and he lived in until his passing.
Bob worked for Bell Canada for the next 39 years progressing from a draftsman to a central office foreman until he retired. In his last 2 years, his son Dan and Bob wrote and published a first-hand story of his life growing up in Toronto through to his service in the RCAF told through over 400 pages and 300 personal photographs and documents.
It is titled, "Luck is 33 Eggs" highlighting his 33 operations over war-torn Europe and returning for a fresh egg at breakfast. In 2020, Bob proudly received an honourary induction into the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, 431 Air Demonstration Squadron recognizing his service in 431 Squadron during WWII.
The family are grateful for the medical care he received while at the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.
Memorial donations may be made to the following: Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum (Hamilton), National Airforce Museum of Canada (Trenton), Bomber Command Museum of Canada (Nanton, Alberta) or Sunnybrook Veterans Centre.
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