Obituary of Robert W. Middleton Jr.

Robert W. Middleton Jr. (Bob) of Vineland, NJ went home to be with Jesus, his Lord and Savior, on August 12, 2023. He was 74 years old. Bob will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved this hard working, entrepreneurial, passionate, adventurous, generous, caring husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather and friend. Bob was born in Woodbury, NJ on October 26TH 1948. He graduated from Woodbury High School in 1967 and continued his education at Miami-Dade Community College where he majored in Culinary Arts. A year after he attended college he was drafted, joined the Navy and served in Greece. As a teenager he worked for Ponzio's Diner in Cherry Hill and Brooklawn, NJ. When Bob finished his service in 1974, he worked at the Spartan Diner in Deptford where he met and then married Denise. In 1975 they bought Jim and Larry's Diner on Landis Ave where he enjoyed cooking for his customers while talking to them, as the grill was located behind the counter. In 1987, they bought the old Hardees building on Main Road and called it Larry's II. Bob always enjoyed talking to customers and over the years they became family. Bob joined the Jaycees when they moved to Vineland and started his service to the community. He had continued to serve Vineland as a Rotary member and started an annual Spaghetti Dinner to raise funds to help others. He received the Paul Harris Fellow award from the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. He was a member of the Y's Men Club of the YMCA. Bob served on the Vineland Soccer Board and coached his eldest son's soccer team. Bob's passion was food and bringing people together to enjoy the food and the company. He felt it was of such great importance that he donated an entire kitchen to his church. Bob supported The Youth Alliance as he believed in their commitment to help children as they face challenges in everyday life. Bob became very passionate about The Men's Resurrection Breakfast that occurred a week before Easter and joined his friend and founder, Larry Baruffi, in providing breakfast for the men that attended. He was honored last year at the breakfast for his generosity "Because Lost Men Matter To Him." Bob leaves us a legacy of hard work, generosity and commitment. Bob loved to travel and spend time with his family, seeing new places, skiing in Colorado and being on the water in Cape May. He enjoyed going to Bible study and learning more about his Savior, playing golf, fishing, gardening, wave running with family and friends, playing pinochle, reading and most of all playing chess and board games with his children and grandchildren. He had many fond memories of his children growing up as he enjoyed their sporting events, plays, dance recitals, singing recitals and award ceremonies. He was so proud of his children, their accomplishments, and the adults they have become. Bob loved being with his family. His greatest legacy are his children and the kind and caring hearts they have for others. Bob loved watching his grandchildren's passions. He attended and cheered them at their concerts, sporting events and plays. Years ago, his grandchildren made him a book and each one described their grandfather as someone who was funny and made them laugh. He taught them to play chess and Monopoly. To make chess more fun and to help them get better he paid them if they beat him. They gave him great joy and as his illness progressed, he was saddened that he was going to miss so much. He also leaves us a legacy of adventure, having fun and caring. He is predeceased by his parents, Robert and Eleanor (nee Bergamine) Middleton, his aunt, Mollie (nee Bickel) Giron and his brother, George Lutz. Bob is survived by his wife Denise (nee Gellura); children, Robert (Nichole) Middleton, Ryan (Melissa) Middleton and Ashley Middleton. He survived cancer in 2004 and prayed that he would be blessed to see grandchildren. His prayers were answered and Jimmy, Gracie, Aidan and Nora have been the love of his heart, along with his three children. Bob is the "little brother" of Lynda (Craig) Hoelbinger who has always been a great support in his life. He is a brother- in-law to Gail (Joe) Martin and Cheryl (Mike) Chestnut and uncle to Nicky, Jennifer and Michael (Lisa) Lieze, Kelly Martin and Kristy (Jerry) Siewert. Friends and family will be received on Monday, August 21, 2023 from 9AM-11AM at Living Faith Alliance Church, 1987 S. Lincoln Ave, Vineland, NJ. A funeral service will follow at 11AM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Living Faith Alliance Church https://lfachurch.org/give , The Youth Alliance https://theyouthalliance.com/partners/partner-with-us/ or the Men's Resurrection Breakfast www.revivesj.org