Deacon Donald David Eggleston was a Rochester, New York-area Catholic permanent deacon whose ministry was closely connected with several parishes in the Diocese of Rochester. He died on September 25, 2026, at the age of 69 after a long illness, according to the Catholic Courier. His death was reported at Hildebrandt Hospice Care Center in Greece, New York.
Eggleston spent many years balancing family life, professional work and Christian service. Before entering the permanent diaconate, he built a career with Eastman Kodak Company and raised a family with his wife, Mary. His later years included parish ministry, preaching, diocesan service and written reflections for Catholic parish communities.
Latest Update on Deacon Donald Eggleston
As of September 29, 2026, Deacon Donald Eggleston has died, and his death has been confirmed by Rochester Catholic news coverage and published obituary information. He was 69 years old. The Catholic Courier reported that he died September 25 at Hildebrandt Hospice Care Center in Greece following a long illness.
His funeral Mass is scheduled for September 30, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Greece. A calling hour is scheduled from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., followed by interment at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.
Who Was Deacon Donald Eggleston?
Donald David Eggleston was a Catholic permanent deacon in the Diocese of Rochester who served the church for approximately 15 years. He was a native of Greece, New York, and graduated from Arcadia High School in 1975. He later earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from SUNY Brockport before completing graduate theological studies at St. Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry.
His path toward the diaconate began much earlier than his ordination. In a 2011 Catholic Courier report, Eggleston explained that he first felt called to become a deacon in the early 1980s. At the time, however, he had a career at Eastman Kodak and a young family, so he did not believe he could give the vocation the attention it required.
Years later, after his professional circumstances changed, he returned to that calling. His story therefore combined a long corporate career with a later period of formal religious formation and public ministry.
Family and Early Life
Donald Eggleston was born on March 27, 1957, and was raised in the Greece area of Monroe County, New York. Published obituary records identify his parents as William Eggleston and Maryjane Eggleston. Both parents predeceased him. His brother William C. Eggleston Jr. also died before him, while his brother Richard Eggleston survived him.
Eggleston’s family became an important part of his later life and ministry. He married Mary, and the couple had two children, Elizabeth and Jeffrey. Published obituary information identifies Elizabeth’s husband as Matthew Helton and Jeffrey’s wife as Allison Eggleston. His surviving grandchildren include Wesley, Tristan and Rev.
Publicly available obituary information does not provide extensive details about his childhood beyond his Greece roots and Arcadia High School education. The available records instead focus more heavily on his professional career, religious vocation and family life.
Education
Eggleston graduated from Arcadia High School in 1975. He subsequently attended SUNY Brockport, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science. His education later moved into theological and ministry preparation at St. Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry.
The Diocese of Rochester explains that candidates for its permanent diaconate undergo years of formation. The program includes theological and pastoral preparation, while many candidates pursue graduate-level study in pastoral ministry.
Eggleston also completed practical ministry assignments at St. Joseph’s Neighborhood Center, Rochester General Hospital and St. Paul Parish in Webster. These placements gave him experience serving people in parish, health-care and community settings before and around the beginning of his ordained ministry.
Career at Eastman Kodak
Before becoming a permanent deacon, Eggleston worked for Eastman Kodak Company. His professional career was an important part of his adult life, and the Catholic Courier described him as a Kodak retiree when reporting his death.
His earlier 2011 profile provides additional context. At that time, he had recently left Kodak and was beginning an information-technology and business consulting firm. The career transition also gave him more opportunity to pursue the religious calling he had first recognized decades earlier.
When Was Donald Eggleston Ordained a Deacon?
Donald Eggleston was ordained a permanent deacon on June 4, 2011, by Bishop Matthew H. Clark at Rochester’s Sacred Heart Cathedral. He was one of four men ordained to the permanent diaconate during that ceremony.
The Diocese of Rochester had identified Eggleston as one of the candidates before the ordination. The diocese describes permanent deacons as ministers who can serve in several areas of church life, including proclaiming the Gospel, assisting at Mass, witnessing marriages, baptizing, participating in funeral services and carrying out works of charity and justice.
For Eggleston, the ordination represented the fulfillment of a calling that had been present in his life since the 1980s. His ministry would continue for the next 15 years.
Parish Ministry
After his ordination, Eggleston served as a deacon at St. Stanislaus Kostka in Rochester from 2011 to 2016. He then served at Our Mother of Sorrows in Greece from 2016 to 2018.
In 2018, health concerns led the Diocese of Rochester to grant him early senior status as a deacon. Even after that change, he continued helping with parish ministry, particularly at St. Charles Borromeo, his home parish in Greece.
His ministry continued despite mobility problems. Father Roman Caly of St. Stanislaus Kostka recalled Eggleston’s determination to continue preaching homilies, including occasions when he used a walker to reach the pulpit. The recollection was included in the Catholic Courier’s obituary coverage.
Preaching and Community Service
Father John Firpo, pastor of St. Charles Borromeo, described Eggleston as someone whose preaching came from his own life experience. According to Firpo, that approach helped him connect with people and make them feel welcomed.
Eggleston’s work after retirement from active parish service also included diocesan responsibilities. He continued serving on the Deacon Personnel Board and was treasurer of the St. Stephen’s Diaconal Community Association. These positions allowed him to remain involved in the organization and support of the permanent diaconate.
He also continued writing reflection pieces for parish bulletins. His final contribution for St. Charles Borromeo appeared in the parish bulletin for September 26–27, 2026, shortly after his death.
Donald Eggleston Age
Deacon Donald Eggleston was 69 years old when he died on September 25, 2026. His published birth date was March 27, 1957.
Donald Eggleston Wife and Children
Donald Eggleston was married to Mary Eggleston. The couple had two children, Elizabeth Helton and Jeffrey Eggleston. His obituary identifies Matthew Helton and Allison Eggleston as their spouses.
He was also a grandfather. Published records name Wesley, Tristan and Rev among his grandchildren. His surviving brother is Richard Eggleston, who is married to Sandy.
Religion and Catholic Ministry
Eggleston’s religious life was centered on Catholic ministry. His decision to become a permanent deacon developed over several decades, and his formal ministry began with his 2011 ordination in Rochester.
His work included preaching, parish assistance and service to people in different community settings. His field ministry included St. Joseph’s Neighborhood Center, Rochester General Hospital and St. Paul’s Parish in Webster.
Cause of Death
The Catholic Courier reported that Eggleston died at Hildebrandt Hospice Care Center after a long illness. The available obituary coverage does not identify a specific medical diagnosis or cause of death. It is therefore more accurate to describe his death as following a long illness rather than assigning an unverified medical cause.
Funeral and Burial
Eggleston’s funeral Mass is scheduled for Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Charles Borromeo Church, located at 3003 Dewey Avenue in Greece, New York. The service is preceded by a calling hour beginning at 9:30 a.m.
Following the Mass, he is scheduled to be interred at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. The funeral arrangements were published through obituary and Catholic community sources.
Quick Table: Deacon Donald Eggleston
| Full Name | Donald David Eggleston |
|---|---|
| Known As | Deacon Donald Eggleston |
| Born | March 27, 1957 |
| Died | September 25, 2026 |
| Age at Death | 69 |
| Birthplace/Roots | Greece, New York |
| High School | Arcadia High School |
| College | SUNY Brockport |
| Graduate Ministry Education | St. Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry |
| Profession | Former Eastman Kodak employee; permanent deacon |
| Ordination | June 4, 2011 |
| Wife | Mary Eggleston |
| Children | Elizabeth Helton and Jeffrey Eggleston |
| Grandchildren | Wesley, Tristan and Rev |
| Cause of Death | Long illness; specific diagnosis not publicly stated in available reports |
| Funeral Mass | September 30, 2026, at St. Charles Borromeo Church |
| Burial | Holy Sepulchre Cemetery |
Reader Questions
Who was Deacon Donald Eggleston?
Donald David Eggleston was a permanent Catholic deacon in the Diocese of Rochester. He served in several Rochester-area parishes and remained involved in church service after moving to senior status.
How old was Deacon Donald Eggleston when he died?
Donald Eggleston was 69 years old when he died on September 25, 2026. His published birth date was March 27, 1957.
When was Donald Eggleston ordained a deacon?
He was ordained a permanent deacon on June 4, 2011, at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Rochester. Bishop Matthew H. Clark presided over the ordination.
Who was Donald Eggleston’s wife?
Donald Eggleston’s wife was Mary. The couple had two children, Elizabeth and Jeffrey, and several grandchildren.
Where did Donald Eggleston work?
Eggleston worked for Eastman Kodak Company before retiring. Later reporting described him as a Kodak retiree, while an earlier profile noted that he was also beginning an information-technology and business consulting firm after leaving Kodak.
What was Donald Eggleston’s education?
He graduated from Arcadia High School in 1975 and earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from SUNY Brockport. He later completed graduate theological education at St. Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry as part of his preparation for ministry.
What parish did Donald Eggleston serve?
He served at St. Stanislaus Kostka in Rochester from 2011 to 2016 and Our Mother of Sorrows in Greece from 2016 to 2018. He later
