Napoleon Middleton (Nate) was born on April 12, 1936 in Duplin County in the town of Warsaw, N.C. He was the son of the late John Walter Faison and Sallie Middleton and was the third child in a family of four boys. At an early age, he went to Philadelphia, Pa. and was raised by his Aunt Amelia. He was initially educated in the Catholic school system and was a very proud Altar Boy. He always talked about being an Altar Boy and the things he did to help others. He later transferred to the public-school systems graduating on Jan. 16, 1955 from Benjamin Franklin High. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and served his country during the Cold War. He was a proud member of the Police Security Forces during his enlisted period and received many awards and commendations. He was awarded an honorable discharge in 1959. Napoleon worked in a few different factory jobs in Philadelphia after his military discharge and decided to take the exam for the Philadelphia Fire Department. He completed the exam earning one of the highest scores. He was very proud of his success. He was hired on Mar. 13, 1966 and became a member of the Philadelphia Fire Department and was assigned to Engine 37. He worked for the fire department until he became ill suffering from a heart condition. He ended his employment on Sept. 9, 1979 serving the fire department for 14 years. He decided to further his education by attending University of Pennsylvania's Wharton Business School where he met his wife, Charlotte Brown. Napoleon and Charlotte was united in holy matrimony on Jun. 27, 1984. This union was blessed with two step-children, Dornita, Nichole, and the birth of Napoleon Middleton, Jr. and finally his youngest daughter, Zoe. Napoleon was a kind, wonderful, and generous, person. He was a committed father and a loving husband for 34 years. He loved to drive and always offered to drive his friends, family, and neighbors where ever they needed to go. He lived to serve the Lord through his compassion and commitment to his wife, children, family, friends and neighbors, from the time he became a young Altar Boy. He quietly departed this life on Monday, Nov. 28, 2016 at 12:01 a.m. in Newark at Christiana hospital; succumbing to his kidney disease. He was preceded in death by his father, John Walter; his mother, Sallie Faison; his brothers, Walter Sr., James and Charles, Sr. His beautiful life will always be cherished by his children, Napoleon Jr, Dornita, Nichole, and Zoe; his granddaughter, Chole Middleton; his sister- in-laws, Sadie Faison, Mary Faison; brother-in-laws, Leon Cargill, Raymond Brown, Walter Brown, Alexander Brown; and a host of wonderful, loving, supportive nephews and nieces; and other devoted family members. Funeral Services will be held 9:00 A.M. Friday, Dec. 9 at First Presbyterian Church, 118 W. Commerce St., Smyrna. Interment will be held 11:00 A.M. at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2465 Chesapeake City Rd., Bear. To sign the online guestbook, please visit www.matthewsbryson.com Arrangements are by Matthews–Bryson Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Smyrna.