Fredrik Stefan Eaton
Encyclopedia
Fredrik Stefan Eaton, OC
, O.Ont
(born June 26, 1938) is a Canadian
businessman, diplomat and the great-grandson of Eaton's
department store founder Timothy Eaton
.
He was born in Toronto
to John David Eaton
and Signy Steffanson Eaton, and was raised in Forest Hill
. In 1962, he received a Bachelor of Arts
degree from the University of New Brunswick
and started working as salesman at Eaton's in British Columbia. From 1977 to 1988, he was the chairman, president and CEO of Eaton's. He served as Canadian High Commissioner
to the United Kingdom
form 1991 to 1994. In 1993, he was appointed Chancellor of the University of New Brunswick and served for two terms of five years.
Fredrik has been recognized as being the most intelligent and capable of the Eaton brothers - John Craig Eaton
, George Ross Eaton, and Thor Edgar Eaton. Fred lives in a townhouse in Toronto, and has a country estate in Caledon, Ontario
, a cottage on Georgian Bay
, and a winter house in Florida
. He is married to Catherine "Nicky" Eaton, and has two children: Fredrik D'Arcy Eaton, who lives in Toronto, and Flora Catherine Eaton Coakley, who lives in New York
. Fredrik is one of the most public members of the Eaton Family
, and he attends social events and endows many institutions philanthropically.
In 1990, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada
for having "contributed to many aspects of Canadian life. Through his leadership in a variety of organizations, in fields as diverse as those of business, education, nature, health care and the arts, he is continuing his family's tradition of exemplary service to the public." In 2001, he was awarded the Order of Ontario
for his "contributions in numerous areas including health care and the arts."
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
, O.Ont
Order of Ontario
The Order of Ontario is the most prestigious official honour in the Canadian province of Ontario. Instituted in 1986 by Lieutenant Governor Lincoln Alexander, on the advice of the Cabinet under Premier David Peterson, the civilian order is administered by the Governor-in-Council and is intended to...
(born June 26, 1938) is a Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
businessman, diplomat and the great-grandson of Eaton's
Eaton's
The T. Eaton Co. Limited was once Canada's largest department store retailer. It was founded in 1869 in Toronto by Timothy Eaton, an Irish immigrant. Eaton's grew to become a retail and social institution in Canada, with stores across the country, buying offices across the globe, and a catalogue...
department store founder Timothy Eaton
Timothy Eaton
Timothy Eaton was a Canadian businessman who founded the Eaton's department store, one of the most important retail businesses in Canada's history.-Early life and family:...
.
He was born in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
to John David Eaton
John David Eaton
For other people named John Eaton, see John Eaton ."John David Eaton was the second son of Sir John Craig Eaton and Lady Eaton of Toronto....
and Signy Steffanson Eaton, and was raised in Forest Hill
Forest Hill, Toronto
Forest Hill is an affluent neighbourhood in central Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Along with Lawrence Park, Rosedale, and The Bridle Path, it is one of Toronto’s wealthiest neighbourhoods.-History:...
. In 1962, he received a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree from the University of New Brunswick
University of New Brunswick
The University of New Brunswick is a Canadian university located in the province of New Brunswick. UNB is the oldest English language university in Canada and among the first public universities in North America. The university has two main campuses: the original campus founded in 1785 in...
and started working as salesman at Eaton's in British Columbia. From 1977 to 1988, he was the chairman, president and CEO of Eaton's. He served as Canadian High Commissioner
High Commissioner
High Commissioner is the title of various high-ranking, special executive positions held by a commission of appointment.The English term is also used to render various equivalent titles in other languages.-Bilateral diplomacy:...
to the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
form 1991 to 1994. In 1993, he was appointed Chancellor of the University of New Brunswick and served for two terms of five years.
Fredrik has been recognized as being the most intelligent and capable of the Eaton brothers - John Craig Eaton
John Craig Eaton (Chancellor Ryerson University)
John Craig Eaton , philanthropist, is a former Canadian businessman and the great-grandson of Timothy Eaton, founder of the well-known Eaton's department store. He is married to his third wife, Sally Horsfall Eaton, a philanthropist and former registered nurse.Mr...
, George Ross Eaton, and Thor Edgar Eaton. Fred lives in a townhouse in Toronto, and has a country estate in Caledon, Ontario
Caledon, Ontario
Caledon is a town in the Regional Municipality of Peel in the Greater Toronto Area of Ontario, Canada. In terms of land use, Caledon is somewhat urban, though it is primarily rural in nature...
, a cottage on Georgian Bay
Georgian Bay
Georgian Bay is a large bay of Lake Huron, located entirely within Ontario, Canada...
, and a winter house in Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. He is married to Catherine "Nicky" Eaton, and has two children: Fredrik D'Arcy Eaton, who lives in Toronto, and Flora Catherine Eaton Coakley, who lives in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. Fredrik is one of the most public members of the Eaton Family
Eaton family
The Eaton family of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, were owners of the Eaton's department stores, a national chain that was founded in 1869, and became bankrupt in 1999. At the family's height, their net worth was around $2 billion...
, and he attends social events and endows many institutions philanthropically.
In 1990, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
for having "contributed to many aspects of Canadian life. Through his leadership in a variety of organizations, in fields as diverse as those of business, education, nature, health care and the arts, he is continuing his family's tradition of exemplary service to the public." In 2001, he was awarded the Order of Ontario
Order of Ontario
The Order of Ontario is the most prestigious official honour in the Canadian province of Ontario. Instituted in 1986 by Lieutenant Governor Lincoln Alexander, on the advice of the Cabinet under Premier David Peterson, the civilian order is administered by the Governor-in-Council and is intended to...
for his "contributions in numerous areas including health care and the arts."