Donald Leslie Ecker
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Donald Leslie Ecker, beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle and friend, who peacefully left us on April 6, 2025, at the age of 70, surrounded by his wife and three daughters. Born on March 25, 1955, in Hamilton, Ontario. Donald’s life was filled with love, laughter, and a deep devotion to his family and community.
He is predeceased by his father Leslie and survived by his mother Edna, brothers Norm and Wayne and sister Debbie. He is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, brother and sister in laws and cousins.
Donald was a devoted husband to his wife, Mary, with whom he shared 50 years of love, partnership, and cherished memories. Together they gave their children foundational roots and the wings to lead their own lives.
Donald was the proud and loving dad to three wonderful daughters, Ashley (Neil), Alisha (Dan) and Bethany (Colin) who were the centre of his world. He was also a proud Pappy to six grandchildren, Rory, Eilidh, Jacob, James, Callum and Brynlee who brought him immeasurable joy.
Donald spent his formative years in Caledonia, Ontario where he spent most of his time in hockey arenas, baseball diamonds and doing many other sporting activities. In his later years he played Junior hockey and won numerous championships. His daughters followed in his footsteps with their love of playing baseball and he enjoyed coaching them for many years. He was a passionate fan of the Montreal Canadiens and passed that devotion on to his children and grandchildren, with many fun-filled family trips to the Bell Centre.
In his later years, Donald moved to Dunnville, Ontario where he built a successful career in finance. He enjoyed connecting with and serving members of the community and made many lasting friendships.
Donald’s generosity, humor, and spirit of camaraderie made him a cherished friend to many. He enjoyed travelling, golfing and witty banter with many life long friends.
Friends are welcome to join the family in honouring Donald’s life with visitation at JW Hart Funeral Home , Dunnville on Thursday April 10, 2025 from 4:00 to 7:00pm. A private family burial will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Dunnville Hospital & Healthcare Foundation ( dhhf.ca ) or Juravinski Cancer Centre ( jhccf.pllenty.com ) in Donald’s memory.
Our sincerest thanks and gratitude goes out to all of the doctors and nurses at the Juravinski Cancer Centre, home care nurses and PSWs and staff at the Dunnville Memorial Hospital. We would also like to thank the countless friends and family members who brought meals, flowers, gifts and provided other means of support. Donald has chosen to spend his eternal life in the small town of Port Maitland where he will be laid to rest.
Rest in peace. Your legacy will live on through us all.
I am the branch manager of Libro Credit Union (formally Hald-Nor) in Cayuga (Don’s prior stomping grounds) and he was here when I joined the Credit Union back in the day prior to leaving to manage Dunnville Credit Union. Don and I had many many long conversations about the future of our businesses, the future of our career paths and our families over the years. There are still a few employees here that worked with Don and I will share this news. I enjoyed his wit and his business acumen. My sincere condolences go out to his family during this difficult time.
Beth and family,
I’m so sorry for your loss.
Thinking of you all at this difficult time.
Colleen and family
Our hearts are with you in your time of sorrow. Wishing you peace and strength during this difficult time. May the sorrow you feel in your heart lighten by the love that surrounds you.
Our hearts are with you in your time of sorrow. Wishing you peace and strength during this difficult time. May the sorrow you feel in your heart lighten by the love that surrounds you.
Dear Mary and family, our sympathy to all of you, so sorry for your loss. Thinking of you and keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. Wishing you peace and strength in the days ahead. Rest in peace Don.
Love, Aunt Mary, Patsy and Dave and the Livingstone family
WOW…Condolences to the family….Played hockey with Don…RIP
Our sincerest condolences to Mary and all your families. Deepest sympathy, The Shaver family
We are so sorry to hear of Don’s passing. Our thoughts are with you.
Kirk and Deb Dewar
Mary and the family
So sorry to hear of Don’s passing. Even as a teenager who we recruited to play here with the Jr. hockey Terriers from Caledonia, he was always a class act and a people person. It held him in good stead in his eventual career path. May he rest in the peace of Christ and your hearts be filled with memories of a happier time.
You are in our thoughts and prayers …………. Lorne and Valerie
Sending my condolences to Mary, and the girls and their families. Sending hugs to you all.
Mary and family. I was sorry to hear of Dons passing. You are in my prayers.
To all the family and friends of Don Ecker,
We offer our sincere sympathy, prayers , and love.
Dan and Ruth Rykse
Our sincere sympathy Mary and to your girls and their families. May all your precious memories be of some comfort in the days ahead.
My heartfelt sympathy to you Mary and family.Your memories will live on forever.🫂
Sending deepest condolences to Mary and family.
Edna, Mary & Family. Our thoughts & prayers are with all of you at this very difficult time. Donny was such a great guy to all that knew him. We will treasure our hockey memories especially. God Bless.
So sorry for your loss! I’ll miss our hockey talks!
To Mary and your girls and extended family. My sincere condolences to you all. I remember a lot of great times at the Jacob ranch growing up, and can remember the day you and Don got engaged!!
What a beautiful life you shared together.
I’m so sorry Mary for you loss and your daughters loss. Just know you all have an angel up in heaven looking down at you.
Sincere condolences to Dons families. 🙏
Our thoughts and prayers are with Mary and family during this difficult time. Don was such a sweet gentle guy, and was always so proud of his loving family. Sending love and hugs to Mary and family.
Dear Mary and family
So sorry to hear of Don’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Jeff and Annette Chambers
My deepest condolences on Don’s passing a very nice man , we talked hockey when we would meet , we played on Sheps old timers a very good hockey player.RIP DON.
Our deepest condolences to Mary and the Ecker families.
So sorry to hear of his passing. My condolences Mary and family. Rest in peace Don♥️
My condolences to Mary and family.
I always enjoyed a chat with Don may he rest easy
My deepest condolences to Mary and the Ecker Family
Dear Mary and the entire family, it’s difficult to lose a loved one but you will have many wonderful memories to fall back on. Our most sincere condolences.
Ella and Dennis
Sorry to hear about his passing
Our sincere condolences to Mary and family. Wishing strength to you all as you mourn the loss of Don.
Penny & Ray Egger
Dear Mary and family. Our sincere sympathy on Don’s passing. RIP Don
We are so sorry for your loss Alisha. Thinking of you and your family.
My sincere condolences to Edna, Mary, and the Ecker family
Mary and family so sorry for your loss, thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
we are so sorry to hear of don passing our thought and prayers are with you Mary and girls and family
My deepest sympathy to all. RIP
Mary to u and ur families we are so very sorry for ur loss. Yes Don played a very large part in our community God rest his soul and big hugs to all.
My deepest and heartfelt sympathies to the families.
My brother Tim and I were deeply saddened to hear of Donnie’s passing. Tim and Donnie played hockey together in Caledonia and our family knew the Ecker Family quite well. We will be thinking of you during this very difficult time.
Debi Neilson-Johnson and Tim Neilson.
Andre and l are very sad to hear about Donald’s passing.He was Brenda’s nephew and even though we didn’t see him often,our childhood memories were very special when we had family get togethers. He was a kind,loving person and will always be in our hearts 💞 Love the Auger Family.🙏🫶
🙏🏼Dear Mary and family,sending our deepest condolences to you and all the family in this very sad time.Donalds passing came as such a shock to my sister and me,but we will never forget all the great times we shared with Donny growing up.Gone but Never Forgotten and Forever Loved,your twin aunts,Bev.n Brenda❤️❤️
Mary and Family our deepest condolences to you all. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers, trusting that all the cherished memories you created with Don will help you through this difficult time.
Karen & Peter
Mary and family,
Our deepest condolences on the loss of a beloved husband and father. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this very difficult time.
Joanne & Mike Miron
Dear Mary and family. Please accept my sincere condolences. I will miss Don’s wonderful sense of humour and listening to stories of family, especially of his beloved grandchildren. Rest in peace my friend.
My condolences to Mary and the family. Many good memories of Don.
Very sad news , my condolences to Don’s family on his passing , I grew up next door to Don and Norm , Wayne and Debbie , Mr and Mrs Ecker were my other parents growing up next door , Don and his bothers and my brother and I used to spend hours playing hockey on a pond in our backyard during the winter , summer we used to all go and chase the cows in the fields behind our homes , memories of the fun we had will last forever. RIP Don🙏
We are ever so sorry to hear about the loss of my Nephew Donald. Sending Edna, Mary & ALL your family our deepest condolences. Our thoughts & prayers are with you during this difficult time. Donald was an easy going fellow who cherished his lovely growing family & was ever so proud of them all. Sending our Hugs & Love to everyone as you will definately be missed by All. God Bless Donald & Rest In Peace, Love Always Aunt Marilyn & Moe xoxo
To Mary, and extended Ecker/Jacob family we send our sincere condolences, the tributes and beautifully written obituary speaks volumes, and well describes the person he was. Another gone far too soon, thinking of you at this difficult time.
Fred and Ellen Moodie 🙏
Our deepest condolences to Mary, the girls and the rest of the family.
Dear Mary and Family , Bud and I were so sorry to hear of Don’s recent passing. We feel your loss and you are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Dear Ashley,
We were deeply saddened to hear of your father’s passing. Please accept our sincere condolences during this difficult time. We hope you find comfort in the memories you shared and the love that surrounds you.
In memory of your father, a donation has been made from the Health System Integration & Strategic Partnerships teams to the Dunnville Hospital & Healthcare Foundation.
We’re here for you, Ashley — please don’t hesitate to reach out if there’s anything you need. We’re holding you and your family in our thoughts and are here to support you however best we can.
With deepest sympathy,
Stephanie, Katie, and HSI&SP Teams A & B