From world wars and pandemics to social justice movements and the birth of the internet, Albert Middleton saw it all.  

When Middleton died last week, he was 109 years old and the oldest living man in Canada, although his life did not begin here. Middleton immigrated to Canada at 14 years old, going on to fight for Canada in the Second World War, and was the oldest Canadian veteran of the Second World War when he died.  

B次元官网网址淚 feel prouder all the time that the veterans are still with us because theyB次元官网网址檙e very quickly not lasting. IB次元官网网址檓 very lucky that my dad was a veteran,B次元官网网址� Darlene Van Raay, MiddletonB次元官网网址檚 daughter, told Victoria B次元官网网址 at Middleton's 109th birthday celebration last year. 

From his early life in Canada as a farmhand in Halifax working to repay the cost of his journey to Canada, to his days in the Royal Canadian Air Force, he was a man who lived many lives. Eventually through the Veterans Land Act, he purchased a hobby farm in 1952 where he kept pigs and cattle.  

Over the years he kept several odd jobs, attended night school and eventually retired in 1980. He even immigrated back to England at age 70 with his then-wife. After she passed, 90-year-old Middleton opted to return to Canada, this time choosing Victoria as his home. When he arrived in Victoria, he took up residence in an apartment across from Beacon Hill Park until the age of 101.  

In his final years, he lived at Broadmead CareB次元官网网址檚 Veterans Memorial Lodge. 

B次元官网网址淗e's been a very big part of our community here,B次元官网网址� said Janet Power, the lodge's executive director. She described Middleton as very active up until the week before his passing.  

B次元官网网址淗e was known for whistling and ... he propelled his wheelchair down the hallway with his feet.B次元官网网址� 

The Centurian's life's pleasures were music, candy, and the odd glass of Crown Royal Whiskey.  

B次元官网网址淗e loved people coming together. He was always cheerful and so many staff have known him for several years; theyB次元官网网址檙e sad and missing him dearly. He was a big part of the lodge where he lived,B次元官网网址� Power said.  

B次元官网网址淗e had a great smile, and that English accent and heB次元官网网址檚 just left a lot of great memories here. The staff really miss him.B次元官网网址�  

Middelton was married and widowed twice, and had three children. On March 11, he would have turned 110. Veterans Memorial Lodge plans to host a celebration of life for family and friends on that day.