Deacon Don Esler, Permanent Deacon

It's hard to believe that this October, 2023, I will celebrate my 5 year anniversary as not only a Permanent Deacon of the Archdiocese of Detroit, but also as Deacon here at St Edith. Time has gone by rather quickly! So many friends have been made during my time in this faith community. I’d like to share a brief history about myself.  

My wife Gail (Perkins) and I have been married for 37 years (March 1986). We met while we both worked for Bank
of the Commonwealth in Detroit. We were not blessed with any children; however, we do share our home with Maggie, a wonderful Yellow Lab mix and our quirky feline, Moka.  We moved to Livonia in 2001, and attended St Aidan parish on Farmington Road.  While attending St Aidan’s I became immersed in various lay ministries; choir, lector, catechist, EME, and men's club. In the secular world, I worked as a Senior Accounts Receivable Analyst for various automotive suppliers. My longest tenure was with Federal Mogul (24 yrs). I began working for St Edith in 2020 (2 weeks before the start of the Pandemic) as Coordinator of Evangelization.

I grew up in the area of Six Mile and Telegraph.  I attended John C Lodge elementary, Frank Murphy Junior High School, and Detroit Redford High School (go Huskies!).  I attended Schoolcraft and Henry Ford Community  Colleges, and FINALLY graduated with a General Business degree (minor in Management), from Walsh College in Troy, Mi in 2002.  I have two sisters, Mary Ellen and Roberta (Bobbie). My parents are deceased Robert and Ellen (Osborne - St Mary's of Redford). Our family belonged to Our Lady of Loretto in Redford Township.  I received my sacraments there, with the exception of Marriage, which was received at St Paul of the Cross in Detroit.

My wife Gail was born in Connecticut, and her family moved to Dearborn Heights in 1965.  Gail has a sister Linda, and brothers Rick, Russ, and Dave. They were parishioners at St Linus Parish in Dearborn Heights. Gail is a graduate of Crestwood High School, in Dearborn Heights.  She has worked 28 yrs for an automotive supplier in Plymouth. 

In Christ,
Deacon Don (Go Eagles!!)