CHARLES SAMUEL BANKS

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CHARLES SAMUEL BANKS Peacefully, on July 14, 2000, Charles Samuel Banks, formerly of Benito, Man. Sam was the only son of Sara Adelaide and Charles Waters Banks, among the first homesteaders to settle in the Thunderhill district of the Swan River Valley in 1898. Sam was born on October 25, 1908 in Williamsburg Township, Dundas County, Ont. Mother and son soon returned to the family farm near Benito, where (with the exception of one memorable year spent in Toronto at the age of 18) he lived and farmed until 1994. Sams hard work and skill earned him a reputation as a progressive and successful farmer who treated his hired hands fairly. He married Dorothy Eleanor Goodman in 1933 and raised two children, Leone and David. Sam and Dorothy enjoyed square dancing throughout their married life and in earlier years travelled to dances across Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Both remembered occasions when they rode to dances in a horse and buggy, returning home as the sun rose the next day. Never content to sit idle, some of Sams fondest memories were of the summer following the Second World War when he took his combine to Colorado and followed the harvest north before returning home to combine his own crops as well. On other memorable journeys he accompanied his friend Dick Emmond to California, where they picked up hives of bees before driving non-stop all the way home. Sam worked hard to improve his community, serving as Chairman of the Benito School Board as well as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the local hospital. He was a strong supporter of the Anglican Church his entire life. A Past Master of Victory Lodge no. 148 A.F. and A.M. in Benito, Man., he received his 50 year jewel in 1999. He was also an active member of the Order of the Easter Star for 50 years, and a Past Worthy Patron of Benito Chapter no. 48 O.E.S. and the Washakada Chapter no. 19 O.E.S., Swan River, Man. Sams abilities as a farmer and businessman were recognized in 1966, when he was elected to the Board of Directors of the United Grain Growers. He served three terms (1966-1975), the last as Vice President. He always felt his tenure as a UGG Director was the most interesting time of his working life, giving him the opportunity to meet and work with other farmers from all over the prairies. Many remained lifelong friends. After retirement, he and Dorothy spent 20 winters (1975-1995) at Pine-to-Palm Park in Texas, where they made many more wonderful friends and enjoyed an active social life. Throughout his life, Sam was an avid fisherman, golfer and card player. Whatever the game, he was a fair competitor and a gracious loser. In later years, he often reminisced about his buddy Stan Holtby, entertaining his grandchildren with stories of their great fishing adventures. Sam always had time for his family, who have many happy memories of bonfires and croquet games at the farm, afternoons spent picking raspberries and making maple syrup and evenings spent playing cards in the kitchen. Sam will be remembered with great love for his kindness, wisdom and mischievous sense of humour. He is survived by his wife and best friend Dorothy; son David Banks and wife Joan; daughter Leone Banks; grandchildren, Douglas Thomson (Arda), Andrew Thomson (Sharon), Thomas Banks (Mary Lou), Janice Loukras (David), David Thomson (Cynthia) and Warren Banks (Tara) great-grandchildren, Daniel, Jennifer, Adam, Ella, Michael and Erin and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his mother Sara in 1925; his brother Richard in 1929; his father Charles in 1965; stepmother Kay in 1983; his sister Marjorie in 1992 and brother-in-law Herb Schneider in 1993. He will be greatly missed. A celebration of life will be held in Winnipeg on Monday, July 17 at 1:00 p.m. in Thomson Funeral Chapels, 669 Broadway. Viewing prior to the service between 10:00 a.m. and noon. Another service will be held in Swan River, Man. on Wednesday, July 19 at 11:00 a.m. in the St. James Anglican Church with interment to follow in Riverside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, should friends so desire, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, 301-352 Donald St., Winnipeg, MB R3B 2H8. Thomson Funeral Chapels in care of Winnipeg arrangements, 783-7211; Paull Funeral Home in care of Swan River arrangements 734-4556.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 17, 2000