In Loving Memory

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April 18, 1949 - January 17, 2026  

Brian Middleton lived a life defined by courage, responsibility, resilience, and resolve. He was a visionary who never quit, someone who met life head-on, rebuilt when everything was lost, and carried his obligations without complaint. 

Brian passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family, at Caribou Lodge on Wood Lake in Muskoka, at the age of 76.

Born on a farm outside St. Marys, Ontario, Brian was the youngest of five children to Bert Middleton, a teacher, and Millie Middleton (née MacKay), a nurse. From an early age, he worked alongside his father on the family farm, learning discipline, self-reliance, and perseverance—not as concepts, but as daily practice. He grew up understanding that effort mattered, that responsibility was carried, and that strength was how you protected what you loved.

Brian’s connection to Wood Lake began early, spending summers at the cabin his father built in 1935. This place would quietly anchor him throughout his life.

After attending the University of Guelph, Brian returned home and took over the family farm, growing it into the largest cash-crop operation in the township. An innovator by nature, he was never content to do things the usual way. He transformed an old historic landscaping shop into the Creamery Bar and Restaurant in St. Marys and later co-founded a genetically improved pig operation called GIP, along with other close friends and visionary’s, using processes among the earliest in the industry. His ideas were often ahead of their time, driven by a belief that progress required courage and vision.

When the banks tightened their grip in the early 1980s and high interest rates cost him the farm, he didn’t quietly disappear. He stood up—to the banks, to systems he believed were wrong—and helped other farmers try to hold on to their livelihood. He chose principle over convenience. He stood where he stood, never willing to sacrifice the direction of his moral compass for an easier way. 

When he had to start again, he did—without complaint. He started working shifts piling dog food at Shur-Gain and determinedly rose to become one of the company’s top salesmen. From there, he co-founded AgWorld, an import-export agribusiness working with China, Korea, Japan, and South America. Later, he went on to another innovation co-founding The Pork Corp. in Goderich, bringing family farmers together to do collectively what they could no longer do alone. It grew into the largest pig-producing operation in Ontario. Brian was proud of what he built—not as a symbol of success, but as proof of perseverance and belief.

After selling his shares in The Pork Corp., Brian purchased Caribou Lodge on Wood Lake in 2002. With the help of his family, he rebuilt it with care, intention, and pride. His vision was clear: to honour the families who had been coming there for generations, to preserve the spirit of the place, and to leave a lasting legacy for his own family. He believed the lodge should be a safe haven—for people who truly loved it, and for golden retrievers. And there were always golden retrievers.

Brian deeply honoured the natural beauty of Muskoka and Wood Lake. Many will remember him sitting on the front porch in his red Muskoka chair, listening to John Denver, contemplating the meaning of life. He loved feeding birds and chipmunks, watching hummingbirds, tending red geraniums, driving his John Deere lawnmower, fixing whatever needed fixin’, and laughing until his missing rib danced. These simple rituals reflected who he was at his core—grounded, attentive, and content in honest company. 

Things changed after Brian came along. People often sought his wise council over a coffee on the porch. He was always willing to help those who needed it. He learned from both successes as well as mistakes, fully understanding that everything that happens along the way, helps to guide your path. He was unafraid to make big decisions that brought lasting change. He lived honestly, and he left something solid behind.

As a father, Brian expressed love through steadiness and protection. He taught by example, showing others how to stand on their own, take responsibility, and face difficulty without retreat. His love language was action. Protection before tenderness. Strength as love. He taught by example: watch what I do, handle your own weight, stand up when things get hard. He didn’t promise lightly—but he kept them. Stay steady. Stay strong. I will always be here.

Affection came through trust. Pride showed when responsibility was handed over. Loyalty was proven through presence. He trusted instinct over approval and resisted authority that didn’t earn respect. Love, to Brian, didn’t need announcing if it was lived.

Brian is lovingly remembered by his children Anne Taylor (Paul), Scott Middleton (Leeanne), and Karolyn Longfield (Jay), and by his grandchildren Kaden, Noah, Bodhi, Zaddek, Ashlyn, Gavin, and Sage, who brought him immense pride and joy. He is also survived by his brother Dan Middleton (Sharon), his best friend Carol Hazen, and by many nieces and nephews who will remember him for his wisdom, strength, and generosity of spirit.

He was predeceased by his parents Bertram and Mildred Middleton, and by his sisters Suzanne Barton (Grant), Jenny Henderson (Don), and Marcia “Marti” Ryan (Ron).

Brian leaves behind a legacy of backbone, vision, generosity, and resilience. He is remembered as someone who did not back away, who rebuilt when everything was lost, who honoured the land he loved, and whose life made others stronger simply by witnessing how he lived.

We all have our own way of loving. Brian’s love language lives on—in Wood Lake, Caribou Lodge, golden retrievers, front-porch sitting, and the quiet strength he passed down. To love. To enjoy. 

To steward with heart and soul.

We love you Brian Middleton.
You lived a beautiful life.
Your legacy lives on.