Jack Middleton Obituary
Jack Middleton was born in Philadelphia, PA on January 13, 1929, and passed away peacefully at his home on September 8, 2026 surrounded by his family. He was the son of Harry C. Middleton, Jr. and Mildred B. Middleton. He grew up in Narberth, PA, attended the public schools and graduated from Lower Merion High School. He then attended Lafayette College and graduated in 1950. Following his graduation, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served in the 2nd Battalion, 10th Marines, including service with the 6th Fleet. During his college years, he worked for three summers for the Appalachian Mountain Club in Tuckerman Ravine (1947-1949) on Mount Washington. After his release from active duty with the Marine Corps, he returned to work for the Appalachian Mountain Club (Dolly Copp 1952, 1954, 1955), and then was employed as a weather observer by the Mount Washington Observatory and spent a year on the summit of Mount Washington. In August, 1953, he married Ann Dodge and they were married for 58 1/2 years until her death on February 20, 2012.
He entered Boston University Law School in September, 1953 and graduated cum laude in June, 1956. Following his graduation, he became an Associate of McLane, Carleton, Graf, Green and Brown. In 1962, he became a partner of the firm and continued with the firm until his retirement at age 97 in 2025.
During his long legal career, he was primarily a trial lawyer and tried many cases in the state and federal courts. Among other cases, he was trial counsel in the “Live Free or Die” license plate case of Maynard v. Wooley, which was appealed by the State of New Hampshire to the United States Supreme Court which resulted in a decision that his client’s constitutional rights were violated.
Jack Middleton was very active in various professional, civic and conservation-oriented organizations. He served as President of the New Hampshire Bar Association, Chair of the New Hampshire Bar Foundation, President of the New England Bar Association, President of the National Conference of Bar Associations and President of the National Conference of Bar Foundations. In addition, he was active in the American Bar Association, serving for over 20 years in its House of Delegates, six years on its Board of Governors, and for three years as its Secretary. He served on the Board of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce for over 20 years and served as its Chair. He served as the Chair of the Manchester United Way Campaign and served on the Board of Directors. He also served for 12 years on the Board of the Greater Manchester Development Corporation. His statewide activities included service on the Boards of the Business and Industry Association, New Hampshire Public Radio, and New Hampshire Public Television. With respect to conservation organizations, he served for many years on the Board of The Nature Conservancy and the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests. His great interest was Mount Washington. He served for over 64 years on the Board of the Mount Washington Observatory, serving for many years as its Secretary and as President, and served for over 45 years on the Mount Washington Commission.
Over the years, he received a number of awards, including the Boston University Law School “Silver Shingle” award, New Hampshire Bar Association President’s Award on 3 separate occasions, New Hampshire Business Leader of the Year 2002, Business and Industry Association Lifetime Achievement Award, Citizen of the Year award from the Manchester Chamber of Commerce, and the Pettee Medal from the University of New Hampshire Alumni Association.
Jack and his late wife were active mountain climbers, climbing extensively in the United States, Europe, South America, Africa and Asia. They were both members of the American Alpine Club and life members of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Jack was a hunter and hunted in the United States, Mexico, Canada, South America, and Africa and was a member of the Safari Club International. Above all their true passion was skiing and they skied in the US, Canada and Europe.
He is survived by his daughter Susan Middleton of Eliot, ME, his son Jack B. Middleton Jr., of Boston, MA, and his son Peter Middleton of Portsmouth, NH. In addition, he is survived by four grandchildren, Abby Middleton Mondani, Ben Middleton, Kerstin Middleton and Mansfield Middleton, three great grandchildren and his close friend Sharon Gerard.
Arrangements have been made by the Lord Funeral Home of Wolfeboro, NH. Memorial services to be held at the Grace Episcopal Church in Manchester, on October 17, 2026 at 1:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mount Washington Observatory or the New Hampshire Bar Foundation
