It is with immense sadness that we announce the death of Sheldon Eldridge. He passed away at the Bracebridge hospital on May 20th due to heart complications. He will be missed by so many.

He was predeceased by parents Melvin and Jean, and sister Valerie.

He is survived by children Kyle and Kayla and their mother Dorothy (Ron), partner Kate and her daughters Meghan, Marianne, and Kearston (and their children, by whom he was lovingly called “bonus grandpa”), twin sister Sherry (Danny), brother Terry (Patricia), cousins Wayne and Wendall, Nephews Michael, Andrew, and Ryan, Craig and Tyler, and Paul, friends Danny and Donna, Ricky, Danny G, Rob, Jeff, and so many more.

Sheldon was born on September 24th, 1963 in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. From a young age he loved sports and was an athlete. In his older years he would jokingly call himself a “closet sports fan” but he did not keep the secret very well. He enjoyed baseball, hockey, snooker, golf, darts, and even the odd game of washer toss.

His parents Melvin and Jean instilled strong family values in him. He was a pillar in the family and the community. Many great summer days were spent taking the kids out boating, water skiing, and general quality time in the family bungalow on Mira River.

He had a very entrepreneurial spirit, owning and operating several businesses over the years. In particular, the welcoming atmosphere of Senators Snooker Club in Glace Bay created many good memories for the local pool sharks. Sheldons Video movie rentals was a staple in New Waterford as well as the Muskoka Futon Factory in Bracebridge, Ontario.

He was so willing to lend a hand to anybody who needed help. The amount of kindness and generosity that he shared with the world cannot be calculated. No matter what it was, from a woodworking project to an electrical issue to a vehicle dilemma, he would figure it out. He was the salt of the earth and many things to many people, most of all a friend. From businessman to construction worker to paperboy, and everything in between, those were just the tasks at hand and did not define him. His character defined him.

He walked to the beat of his own drum and was not afraid to try something new. For a period he was making his own fuel from used restaurant oil. A pleasant aroma of french fries would follow him as he drove down the street.

He enjoyed the simple things in life. He loved to talk to his friends and family on the phone. If Kipper and Bourne was on the tv he was happy. Chicken wing aficionado. Djembe drum player. He even played bingo. Many nights of laughter were had in the garage. He loved to “kick Kyle and Kate’s butt” playing darts, and as a special treat, Kayla’s too. As the Big Sheldoonski said, it was “like stealing candy from a baby”.

We love him so much and are very sad that he is gone. He was a great guy. To quote one of his favorite songs by Sinaed O’Connor, “Nothing Compares to You”