Eaton family

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This article is about a Canadian retailing family. For other meanings see Eaton (disambiguation).

The Eaton family of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, were owners of the Eaton's department stores, a national chain that was founded in 1869, and went bankrupt in 1999. They have been called "Canada's Royal Family" and have been noted for their extremely lavish lifestyles for over a century. At the family's height, their net worth was around $2 billion. Today, after the store's demise, "The Boys"—John, Fred, Thor and George—are worth around $450 million collectively. They and their wives and children still hold prominent positions in Toronto's business and social circles.

• Timothy Eaton, who immigrated to Canada from Ballymena, Ireland, founded the store.
• Sir John Craig Eaton, Timothy's youngest son, took over after his father died.
• Lady Flora McCrea Eaton, Sir John's wife, was a national icon.
• Robert Young Eaton, Timothy's nephew, took over the company on the death of Sir John.
• John David Eaton, Sir John and Lady Flora Eaton's son, took over the company when he turned 33.
• Signy Hildur Stefansson Eaton, wife of John David.
• John Craig Eaton, John David and Signy's eldest son.
• Fredrik Stefan Eaton, John David and Signy's second son, president of the company from 1977–1988, High Commissioner to Britain from 1988–1994.
• Thor Edgar Eaton, Third son of John David and Signy, horse-breeder.
• George Ross Eaton, Youngest son of John David and Signy, president of the company from 1988–1997.
• Nicole Courtois Eaton, wife of Thor, socialite, author.
• Cleophee Eaton, daughter of Thor and Nicky, socialite
• Nancy Eaton, great-great-granddaughter of Timothy, murdered in 1985.
• Billy Bishop, First World War flying ace, married a granddaughter of Timothy, Margaret Burden.