So sorry to hear this (late) sad news. He was by far my favorite teacher. I still have some of the watercolors we did together in class at Waterford High School which I will always cherish.  He was warm, wise, patient, and his enthusiasm and appreciation for art left a lasting impression on me. I remember  Mr. Eccleston with such warmth and fondness, much the same way he treated me and all of his students. The world has lost the type of man they just don’t make anymore. Sending condolences to his family.

Don was a friend to my father and a fellow art enthusiasts.  We love looking at his work hanging in our home. I am glad to see he and Susan had such a fun and full life. God bless him and 

I have so many fond memories of my father, many silly ones for sure. One laughable memory was of a time when my father and I were traveling somewhere and we stopped in Hackensack New Jersey, I was around 14 or 15.. He was driving his little red Toyota Tercel,  and we had made a pitstop at a little general store. We were both craving jellybeans, so he tasked me to go in and find the best bag of jellybeans. As we got in the car and prepared to depart the parking lot, I was having difficulty opening the bag of jellybeans, and with a great force I succeeded, but not before a raining mass of jellybeans went flying all around the car. We both laughed so hard and probably had six jellybeans left in the bag after the jellybean explosion. Many months later we kept finding jellybean after jellybean in little compartments and crevices in the car, laughing every time. So each time a jellybean was discovered, we both got to relive the hysterical event each time.  Despite my father's decline over time, he never forgot that story, and whenever I felt he needed a little boost, I would recall the Jellybean Fiasco and we  laughed just as hard as we did the first time it happened. Such a wonderful memory.

Don Visiting Us — with Don and Charlie

Our last birthday outing with Dad/Grandpa, it was wonderful having time with him, and he could still be present enough to enjoy the moment and celebrate his birthday, laugh and be silly. Miss you so much Dad

My condolences to Don’s family. He truly was the best in every way! I loved him as a second dad who almost walked me down the aisle, he made me laugh. He valued my thoughts and allowed me to play at pottery. I did visit him awhile ago and tried to call this past spring. He will be missed by so many people, love always , Maureen Khan 

Oh no. We just had a WHS 50th year high school reunion and someone there told me that Mr. Eccleston was still alive. I had hoped to write to him to tell him how much he impacted my life. I went into art because of him and made a career as an editorial art director. He was the best. I moved to Baltimore, Maryland in 1986 so I did not have the chance to "bump into him in the mall" like other students. You all should be so proud that you were related to him. My deepest belated condolences. 

😘😔😥💕👨‍🎨🎨🖼

Not just an uncle, Uncle Don was a good friend, and was always a pleasure to be around, or to chat over the phone with. So easy to talk with, about anything and everything, from the days of long ago in our family's history, space, inventors, artists, musicians (even a Rush fan), right up to the craziest current events. It was always fun to hear about all the adventures he lived.  I enjoyed both his whimsical imaginary art as well as his more classical landscape watercolors, and will take pleasure in seeing all those drawings behind the colors knowing that his hand created them.  One of the world's kindest, smartest, non-judgemental and best people I've ever known, I'll miss you, Uncle Don.

Don was truly one in a million.  I always looked forward to our talks.   I’m sure everyone who knew him would agree how much he loved reminiscing about his varied interesting past, his art, his music, his many friends over the years, and of course, family.  What I thought was uncommon was that he also loved talking about the history, mystery, and vastness of the universe and our place within it.  I think he must have been related to Stephen Hawkins in some way.   His unique art style, his clever humor, his sympathetic ear and influence on hundreds of students and friends, and the amazing family he raised, Don made quite the impact on this crazy world.   He will be deeply missed ❤️

My father,  Donald Eccleston, was and will always be one of the most beautiful, creative, kind, intelligent, funny, loving, attentive, sensitive and wonderful human beings I was blessed to have in my life. I am so fortunate to have been raised by such an amazing person, who taught me how to tap into my own creativity as a teacher and therapist, and to use humor in my life when experiencing hard ships.  My father was always there for me when going through something difficult, without judgment or lectures, absolute total acceptance and kindness.  My childhood was full of color with my father around.  My  father was always there for me when going through something difficult, without judgment, or lectures, with absolute total  acceptance and kindness. When he wasn’t painting or drumming, he was right in the thick of it with when playing and imagining, making a puppet theater  puppet theater out of a fridge box, letting us use a giant 2 x 4 as a balance beam right in the middle of our living room or letting us create with clay.  There’s no question that I am a better human being because of him. Dad, you will always be one of the most powerful influences in my life, I will always love you and miss you dearly. Love you!

Condolences to all Don's family. Don was one of my favorite people ever. He was so kind,  helpful, and  funny. I loved his art,  and  I love seeing it in my house. My  family will always be gratefuthat we knew Donl

My condolences to Donald's family. I first met Donald when I taught in the classroom next to him.  We always spent some portion of our day sharing life and laughing.    Don was a very special man.