Daryl L. Middlebrook

Daryl L Middlebrook, age 73, passed away Sunday (January 21, 2018) after a brief, but hard fought battle with cancer.

Friends may call on Sunday (January 28, 2018) from 1 to 4 p.m. at Weldon's Funeral Home in Penn Yan.

In lieu of flowers the family is asking that donations be made to Keuka Comfort Care Home, Millie's Pantry, or to the Penn Yan Academy Shooting Club & Trap League, 305 Court St., Penn Yan, NY 14527.

Daryl was born on April 8, 1944 in Rochester, NY, the oldest son of Harold "Eagle" Middlebrook and Florence Blair Middlebrook. He grew up in Penn Yan and attended the Hutton Street School, the Liberty Street School, Penn Yan Junior High, and was a 1962 graduate of Penn Yan Academy. He attended Penn State University where he obtained a degree in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering in 1964. Daryl learned to fly at a young age, soloing on his 16th birthday. He spent many hours at the airport, and more specifically at Penn Yan Aeronautical Service; a company founded by Harold in 1945. Daryl bought Penn Yan Aero from his Dad in 1966, and turned this little aircraft maintenance shop into one of the premier aircraft engine overhaul and maintenance facilities in the world. Daryl was a licensed Airframe and Powerplant Technician with an FAA Inspection Authorization, a Designated Airworthiness Representative for the Federal Aviation Administration, a Designated Manufacturing Inspection Representative, and an Instrument rated Private Pilot Land and Sea. He was a recipient of the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award for lifetime contributions in the field of aviation maintenance. This prestigious award presented by the FAA is named after the Wright Brothers mechanic, and is the highest recognition awarded to technicians in this field. During his lifetime, Daryl served two terms on the Penn Yan School Board, served on the bank board at the National Bank of Geneva, and served as President of the Aviation Repair Station Association. He served on the Yates County Airport Executive Council, was a First Responder for the Yates County Aviation Emergency Response Team, and served with the Red Cross providing on site emergency relief in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. He is a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association, the Parker Gun Collectors Association, and the Penn Yan Flying Club. Daryl spent many hours restoring airplanes and antique cars. His restoration of the Middlebrook family's 1924 Model – T Ford, earned a National First Place Trophy from the Antique Automobile Club of America. His most recent pride and joy being a 1934 Pierce Arrow.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Patricia Condlin Middlebrook; daughter, Nancy (Jim) Piastuch; son, William (Melissa) Middlebrook; granddaughter, Jenni (Darin) Middlebrook Case; two grandsons Kyle (Katrina) Swartout and Reece Patrick Middlebrook; brother, Paul (Nancy) Middlebrook; niece, Tiffany (Rob) Gage; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was predeceased by his parents Harold & Florence; and by his nephew, Chad.