Don Middleton

Donald Bruce Middleton

Don Middleton, 68 years, passed away peacefully on Saturday morning the 21 ^st of February 2015 surrounded by his family following a brief and unexpected illness.  Beloved husband of 45 years to Sue (nee Barrette); devoted father of Jody (Darcy) Reynolds and Kim (Ryan) Tooth; adored grandpa to Aidan Reynolds, Ashley Tooth and Brynn Reynolds.

Predeceased by his father Robert Middleton (1951), mother Bernice Bischoff (2001), mother-in-law Isabelle Barrette (2007), father-in-law Daniel Barrette (2008), brother Rick Middleton (2014), step-father Helmut Bischoff (2014).  Lovingly remembered by his sister-in-law Kathy Middleton, sister Kathy and Ron White, brother Peter and Darlene Bischoff, brother Gordon Bischoff and Kim Klyn, brother-in-law Michael Barrette and sister-in-law (third daughter) Jill and Gerry Ricard.  Don will be missed by his niece and many nephews, extended family and friends.

Don was a child psychologist who began his career with the Manitoba Government in the Portage area in 1974. He worked for the Portage la Prairie School Division for 10 years until his retirement in 2004 and once retired he kept busy running his private practice, Prairie Therapy Services.  He dove courageously and wholeheartedly into his various interests over his lifetime; basketball, softball, hockey, refereeing, umpiring, fishing, golfing, bears, authoring children’s books, photography and horses, he never went half way.  Don enjoyed every day to the fullest whether he was helping people, walking his dog Sadie, spending time with and riding his beloved horse Private, travelling with his wife Sue or simply spending time with his daughters, their husbands and his most loved grandchildren.  His love of life and the passion with which he pursued his dreams was an inspiration and he will be fondly remembered and deeply missed.

A Celebration of Don’s Life led by Wilma Shirriff will take place at William Glesby Centre on Friday, March 6, 2015 at 4:00 pm.   A private family interment will take place at a later date at the Evergreen Memorial Gardens.

The family would like to send a special thanks to all of the caring and compassionate staff at the Grace Hospital ICU and the MICU at Health Sciences Center for their excellent care of Don and our family.

If one wishes, donations may be made to a charity of one’s choice.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel.  204-857-4021 www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com