Donald Elston
Died: Apr 13, 2014
Donald Elston, 60, of Hackettstown, N.J. died on Sunday, 4-13-14 at his home surrounded by his loving family and friends. Born in Newark, N.J., he was the son of the late Gilbert Stanley & Zetta Donahue Elston.
Don formerly worked for Greystone Hospital of Parsippany, N.J. from 1981 to 1995 retiring as the Assistant Fire Chief and was currently employed as a Paramedic with the St. Clares Hospital System of New Jersey.
Don lived in Florham Park, N.J. throughout his childhood and graduated from Hanover Park High School in 1972. He has lived in Hackettstown, N.J. for the past 36yrs. and belonged to several emergency service organizations, such as the Mansfield Twp., N.J. Rescue Squad, where he served as past chief; Member of the Florham Park and Hackettstown Fire Departments; The N.J. State Fire Chiefs Association and the Appollo Team, a critical incident debriefing assoc.. He was also the former leader of the St. James Episcopal Church Youth Group of Hackettstown, N.J.
Donald is survived by his loving wife, Bonnie Young Elston, daughter of Shirley and the late Dale Young of Hackettstown. Two sons; David R. Elston and wife Christa of Hackettstown. Edward J. Elston and fiance Michele Ruggiero of Harmony Twp., N.J.. one brother, Gilbert Elston and wife Sheri of Williamsburg, Va.. One niece, Dr. Joanne Elston and nephew Christopher Elston.
Viewing hours will be on Wed. 4-16-14, from 2-4 & 7-9pm at the Cochran Funeral Home, 905 High Street, Hackettstown, N.J., 07840. The funeral will take place on Thursday, 10am at the funeral home. Interment will be at the Pequest Union Cemetery, Great Meadows, N.J.. Those wishing to send condolences online may visit www.cochranfuneral.com.
Don formerly worked for Greystone Hospital of Parsippany, N.J. from 1981 to 1995 retiring as the Assistant Fire Chief and was currently employed as a Paramedic with the St. Clares Hospital System of New Jersey.
Don lived in Florham Park, N.J. throughout his childhood and graduated from Hanover Park High School in 1972. He has lived in Hackettstown, N.J. for the past 36yrs. and belonged to several emergency service organizations, such as the Mansfield Twp., N.J. Rescue Squad, where he served as past chief; Member of the Florham Park and Hackettstown Fire Departments; The N.J. State Fire Chiefs Association and the Appollo Team, a critical incident debriefing assoc.. He was also the former leader of the St. James Episcopal Church Youth Group of Hackettstown, N.J.
Donald is survived by his loving wife, Bonnie Young Elston, daughter of Shirley and the late Dale Young of Hackettstown. Two sons; David R. Elston and wife Christa of Hackettstown. Edward J. Elston and fiance Michele Ruggiero of Harmony Twp., N.J.. one brother, Gilbert Elston and wife Sheri of Williamsburg, Va.. One niece, Dr. Joanne Elston and nephew Christopher Elston.
Viewing hours will be on Wed. 4-16-14, from 2-4 & 7-9pm at the Cochran Funeral Home, 905 High Street, Hackettstown, N.J., 07840. The funeral will take place on Thursday, 10am at the funeral home. Interment will be at the Pequest Union Cemetery, Great Meadows, N.J.. Those wishing to send condolences online may visit www.cochranfuneral.com.
Condolences:
Ernest J. Rizzuti
#22
April 23rd, 2014 11:07 pm
Condolences to the entire family. I recall fondly listening to Pink Floyd and The Who. hardly surprised of his achievements and am certain his excellence as a husband and father.
Ernest J. Rizzuti
San Rafael, California
Walter McConnell
#21
April 18th, 2014 9:14 am
Bonnie
My condolences for Don's passing. He will be missed by all. He was one of the best and I enjoyed our years of working together, I will pray for you and your family
God bless and may Don rest in peace.
When we talked i was hoping that my trip from the West would have allowed me to stop in to perdonally see Don. However it was close to his passing and did not work out. God bleaa and be with you and family.
Doc walt
Doctor Walt McConnell
#20
April 18th, 2014 9:02 am
Bonnie
My deepest condolances. Don was apleasure to work with over the years and was one of the best, He will be sorely missed by all who worked with him.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and family at this sad time.
I was so sorry that my travel back from the West did not work out with a visit when we spoke which turns out to have been only a few days before the Lord took him.
God Bless and may he rest in peace.
Doc Walt
Lynn Dolan
#19
April 18th, 2014 8:05 am
Dear Bonnie and Family,
I am so sad at the loss of Don. While I have not met you, Don was a large part of the joy in my early childhood. He was my first best buddy. I still think often of he and I running around the FP police station and road department trying to get snacks and gum from the workers…what pests we must of been. He has always had a special place in my heart. My sincerest condolences. Lynn
Linda Stalter
#18
April 17th, 2014 9:32 am
Bonnie:
My deepest sympathy in the loss of Don. In all my years of working at the hospital he was one of the nicest people I had the privilege of meeting. His loss will leave a big gap in the St. Clares community. My prayers are with you and your family.
Danny and Barbara Yankiv
#17
April 17th, 2014 7:06 am
Our sincere sympathy to you and your family on your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Larry Dolan
#16
April 17th, 2014 4:28 am
Dear Bonnie, David and Ed: I just received the news of Don's passing this afternoon. Don is part of so many wonderful childhood memories. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Larry, Kathy and Amara Dolan and Margaret Healey
Jakarta, Indonesia
Arlene Bailey
#15
April 16th, 2014 5:08 pm
Sorry to hear of the loss of Don .He will be missed by many. Condolence to the Elston & Young families.
Patricia Werner Bisset
#14
April 16th, 2014 9:19 am
Bonnie and Family
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
LuAnn Wojcik
#13
April 16th, 2014 7:34 am
I'm so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Joan & Fred Melberger
#12
April 15th, 2014 6:19 pm
Condolence to Bonnie & family, you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Love, Joan & Fred Melberger
Joe & Judy Budzinski, Alexandria Twsp., N.J.
#11
April 15th, 2014 5:48 pm
To Bonnie and the entire Elston family. Judy and I are so sorry for your loss.
Larry Schumacher
#10
April 15th, 2014 4:35 pm
My condolences to the Elston Family. Knew Don from Florham Park and then was lucky enough to have him transport me to the hospital one night. He lived to serve and that was a blessing for the rest of us. God Bless, Rest in Peace.
Scott and Pauline Churchill
#9
April 15th, 2014 11:44 am
Bonnie, David, and Edward--our hearts go out to you. Bonnie I have known you since 3rd grade. And I have known Don since he came to town. You two were a fantastic couple and loved each other dearly--Don would always tell me how happy you made him, and how proud he was of his sons. Knowing him as a friend and seving with him on Mansfield Squad are momemts I will alwasy cherish--Don always made me smile and gave me something new and interesting to think about each time we met. He will be missed as a great friend and the community will miss him for all those that he met and helped. Scott and Pauline Churchill
Winnie and Mark Slachetka
#8
April 15th, 2014 9:29 am
Sorry to hear of your loss Bonnie. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Beth Miles
#7
April 15th, 2014 8:52 am
Our sincere condolences to Bonnie, David and Ed and the Elston and Young families. We send our thoughts and prayers to you all during this difficult time, may God comfort you and give you strength. Our love and hugs to you all. Don will dearly be missed by us all! Don, Beth, Tyler and Blake
Lorrie Schoemer
#6
April 15th, 2014 8:03 am
It is hard to express succinctly, what we wish to, during times of sadness...But let me share what I can... Glenn first introduced me to Don when I came to Dover in 1989 and then of course they spent many years as MICU partners; Don and Scott Churchill were teaching BLS for me. Man- those two made me CRAZY! never liked to do paperwork, as I recall. . Then I joined Don at Greystone for a 3 day Incident Command class . . all about firefighting back then, and I remember saying to Don- I don't care about how to vent a fire- I'm EMS: I'm too smart to go INTO a fire!! and yet, just the other day at a structure fire, I found myself recalling locations ABC&D so I could make sense of the radio transmissions I was overhearing on scene. He has touched and taught so many of us- God's speed-
Joy and Lester Snyder, Sr.
#5
April 15th, 2014 6:16 am
We are very saddened to learn of the passing of Don. He was a really super guy and will be very much missed in the Hackettstown community. Sincere sympathy to Bonnie and all of the Elston and Young families. Joy and Les Snyder
Joan Kiedes
#4
April 14th, 2014 11:48 pm
Worked with Don quite a few years ago in Hackettstown ER. Was always a nice, kind fellow. I am sorry for your loss.
karen johnson rudd
#3
April 14th, 2014 9:32 pm
My thoughts and prayers go out to Bonny and family in this difficult time. Karen Johnson Rudd, Belvidere, NJ
Greg Bailey
#2
April 14th, 2014 5:47 pm
Condolences to Bonnie and the entire Elston family. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Paul & Robin Wallace Delray Beach, Florida
#1
April 14th, 2014 5:29 pm
Robin and I are very saddened to hear of Don's passing.
There are no words that can comfort, we pray the Lord will comfort you all in this time of mourning.
Don was a credit to any Agency he served and will be missed.
May God Bless you all.
Paul & Robin Wallace
Delray Beach, Florida
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