OCTOBER 3, 1938 – JULY 30, 2023
Passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Sunday, July 30th, 2023 at Lisaard House in Cambridge.
He was predeceased by his father Fred, his mother Pearl, his sisters Holly, Chloe and Nola. Survived by his loving wife Ellen, his sister Judy, and his children; Jeff (Isabel), Chris (Debi) and Susan (the late Greg), his grandchildren Emily, Jessica, (Troy), Jake and Jordan. He will also be missed by John (Maria), Elizabeth, Scott (Casey) and Brooks. Don was a business owner in Cambridge. He owned and operated Cambridge Carpet Cleaning for over 50 years. At one point before Don retired there were three generations of Eldred's working in the company. It was not uncommon for Don to put in 12 to 16 hour days. He came from a generation of "if you want something, you have to earn it".
Don as a young man played Junior Hockey and was carded by the Chicago Black Hawks. Long before the days of the N.H.L. draft, if a player was showing promise an N.H.L. team would have the player sign a contract that they own the rights to that player, and that began Don's love affair with the Black Hawks. When his hockey days ended he went on to coach Minor Hockey and refereed for years. Don loved the game of golf and was a member of the Galt Country Club for at least 50 years. Although he had a short fuse about his own play, he showed great patience in teaching it to others.
All are invited to join Eldred family to remember Don at the Barthel Funeral Home, 566 Queenston Road on Tuesday, August 8, 2023 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Cremation has taken place and Don will be interred at Parklawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are appreciated to Lisaard House.
Arrangements entrusted to Barthel Funeral Home
