Deacon Donald Eggleston Obituary, ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Deacon Donald Eggleston, a 15-year permanent deacon in the Diocese of Rochester, died Sept. 25, 2026, at Hildebrandt Hospice Care Center in Greece following a long illness. He was 69 years old.
A native of Greece, Eggleston graduated from Arcadia High School in 1975. He later earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from SUNY Brockport and a master’s degree from St. Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry. His diaconal field ministry included service at St. Joseph’s Neighborhood Center, Rochester General Hospital and St. Paul’s Parish in Webster.
Eggleston was ordained a permanent deacon on June 4, 2011, by Bishop Matthew H. Clark at Rochester’s Sacred Heart Cathedral. He served as a deacon at St. Stanislaus Kostka in Rochester from 2011 to 2016 before serving at Our Mother of Sorrows in Greece from 2016 to 2018.
A retiree of Eastman Kodak Co., Eggleston was granted early senior status as a deacon in 2018 because of health reasons. Despite his retirement status, he continued assisting in parish ministry, including at his home parish of St. Charles Borromeo in Greece.
Father John Firpo, pastor of St. Charles Borromeo, remembered Eggleston for the way he connected his preaching and faith with his own life experiences. Firpo said Eggleston preached “from the heart” and had a tremendous capacity to welcome people into his heart.
Deacon Edward Giblin, diocesan director of the permanent diaconate, said Eggleston continued to serve generously after entering senior status, including on the diocesan Deacon Personnel Board and as treasurer of the St. Stephen’s Diaconal Community Association. Father Roman Caly of St. Stanislaus Kostka also recalled Eggleston’s determination to continue preaching despite mobility challenges.
Eggleston also continued writing reflection articles for parish bulletins, including a farewell column prepared for the Sept. 26-27 bulletin at St. Charles Borromeo. He is survived by his wife, Mary; children Elizabeth (Matthew) Helton and Jeffrey (Allison) Eggleston; grandchildren Wesley, Tristan and Rev; brother Richard (Sandy) Eggleston; and many extended family members and friends.
His funeral Mass is scheduled for Sept. 30, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Charles Borromeo Church, 3003 Dewey Ave. in Greece. A calling hour will begin at 9:30 a.m., followed by the Mass, with interment afterward at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Deacon Eggleston’s years of service to the Diocese of Rochester and local parishes will remain part of the community’s remembrance as family, friends and fellow Catholics gather to honor his life.
