He was born in Toronto to John David Eaton and his wife, Signy Hildur Stefansson, and he was raised in the Forest Hill area.
Eaton lived with his family in Toronto, and he also had a country estate in Caledon, Ontario, a cottage on Georgian Bay, and a winter home in Florida.
He was one of the most public members of the Eaton family, and he attended social events and endowed many institutions philanthropically.
Through his leadership in a variety of organizations, in fields as diverse as those of business, education, nature, health care and the arts, he continued his family's tradition of exemplary service to the public.
"[3] In 2001, he was awarded the Order of Ontario for his "contributions in numerous areas including health care and the arts".