Donald Wellington Eyre was born on August 9, 1918 at the Eyre family homestead on the Oak Leaf Road just outside the village of Athens, Ontario. Donald passed into the presence of Christ on May 9, 2012 at the age of 93 at Parkview Home, Stouffville, Ontario where he and Mom had lived since September 2011.

Donald was the beloved husband of his wife, Alice Wisner Eyre for 58 years. Loving father of Rev. Lloyd (Karen) of Peterborough, Ruth Moore (Randy), Marcia Wilson (Wayne) and Carol Moore (Kevin) all of Uxbridge, Ontario. Predeceased by his son, Paul Douglas Eyre (1998) and granddaughter Marissa Celeste Wilson (1996). Proud grandfather of 15 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Son of the late William Eyre and Lily Gibson Eyre. Predeceased by siblings Wesley, Alice, Marion and Grace. Survived by siblings, Lawrence, Gordon, Douglas, Jean and Dorothy.

Donald has left his mark on this world by his devotion to his family and the people that he touched through his pastoral ministry of 35 years. Churches in Ontario where Donald and Alice served include Prescott (1953-1955), Pine Grove and Sweet’s Corners (1957-1962), Renfrew & Haley’s Station (1962-1970), Frankford (1970-1976), Uxbridge (1976-1983), Belhaven (1983-1985) and Eastern Koinonia, which met at the Kingsview FMC, Etobicoke, (1985-1988). Donald’s final ministry assignment was as Minister of Visitation at the Uxbridge Free Methodist Church under the leadership of Rev. R. Wayne Kleinsteuber (1990-1999).

Donald had many interests and hobbies including refinishing woodwork and gardening. The pulpit and platform chairs in the Peterborough Free Methodist Church were refinished by him in 1986 when the new church was built. He grew the most beautiful red geraniums and petunias right up his last year.

A Service of Celebration took place at the Peterborough Free Methodist Church, on Monday, May 14, 2012, which was planned by Donald. He faced the illness of the last year with a resolve that was an inspiration to his family. He would often say, “When I am gone, don’t mourn for me!” to which the family would say, “Dad, we won’t mourn for you but we will miss you terribly.”

The family gives thanks to God for the gift of a well-lived long life and rejoice in the reality that he is safe and sound and in the presence of his Lord and the loved ones whom he could hardly wait to see.