Obituary of Daniel Robin Etherden

It is with profound sadness that we share news of Daniel Etherden's passing after his long battle with addiction, something he worked tirelessly to overcome. We share this information openly, because he would want us to use his story to raise awareness. Addiction does not discriminate, and it is a disease that renders so many, and their loved ones, helpless.

Daniel was a beautiful soul: empathetic, sensitive, intelligent, fun. His sense of humour was legendary, and he could make anyone laugh. He loved children so much and they were drawn to him because he was truly a kid at heart. He loved to cook and showed his love by preparing meals for others. He was a loyal friend and he loved his family fiercely. He was deeply loved in return. He wanted so badly to live and to be of service to his peers struggling with addiction, always checking up on people, offering them connections to resources and meetings. He had many successes in life, including graduating high school and attending Seneca College for Business. A source of pride and inspiration for him was his work at Building Up, a program developed to improve affordable housing, while also creating pathways for those experiencing barriers to enter apprenticeships and careers in the trades. 

He is survived by his mother, Frances Jeffries and siblings Sarah Etherden and David Jeffries. Daniel was also a beloved uncle to Jasmine, Haelli, Sophia and Rhys. He is preceded in death by father, Robin Etherden and his cherished grandmother Evelyn Etherden. 

Our broken hearts will forever feel the loss and emptiness of his absence. But he would want everyone who loved him to remember him fondly, to not carry any pain and move forward with life. We hope when you hear a funny joke, you think about him. That when you see others in need, you remember him and help them in his name. Daniel's legacy through his battle was to try to help others, and by his example he would encourage anyone else to do the same. 

Friends will be received to celebrate Daniel's life at the Donald V. Brown Funeral Home, 36 Lake Avenue Drive, Stoney Creek, on Wednesday, October 6, from 12-1 p.m. A private funeral for family and select friends will follow.

We ask that you wear a mask and be fully vaccinated to attend.

A livestream of the service will be available to view at 1:00 p.m. on the Donald V. Brown Funeral Home Facebook page. To view the Livestream, CLICK HERE.  In lieu of flowers, his family requests that donations be made in Daniel's name to CAMH or to drug treatment centres in Hamilton to help others who are struggling.