Michael Banks – Obituary
Michael Lawrence Banks
May 1, 1944 – May 31, 2021
It is with great sadness the family announces the passing of Michael on May 31, 2021 at Ajax-Pickering Hospital in his 77th year.
Devoted husband of Betty de Jonge. Proud and loving father to Alison Banks. Predeceased by his father, James and mother, Vera. Brother to Elaine (Derek) Thompson, uncle to Sean and Cameron (Tracy & Charlie). Loving brother-in-law and uncle to nieces & nephews.
Michael was born in Woking, Surrey, England and moved to Toronto with his family as a young boy. He pursued a rewarding career in architecture and lived his best days in the GTA. In 1995 Michael married his beloved wife Betty de Jonge and together they raised and cherished their daughter Alison Banks.
Michael lived a full life. As his sister says, “he really packed in”. Whilst always working on his career, Michael made sure to find time to enjoy the pleasures of life. Some of his favourite hobbies included grabbing a beer after a great soccer game with the boys, sailing with his buddies on their boat at the National Yacht Club and across the Caribbean, playing on the Toronto Nomads Rugby team, running marathons and skiing to name a few.
Michael’s love for travel and adventure also took him to many destinations around the world, a favourite being Barbados.
He was also a family man, very close to his mother, and devoted deeply to his wife and daughter – his special girls.
Michael will be dearly missed, not only by his family, but by the many close friends he touched over his lifetime.
Special thanks to the folks at Bay Ridges Long-term Care and Ontario Shores. We cannot express enough the care and attention you have given to this wonderful man.
A Celebration of Life will be planned in the future when restrictions ease.
In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to The Alzheimer Society of Canada. Condolences may be expressed at The Simple Alternatives Funeral Home – Pickering.
I was very sad to see this notice today on the Nomads site. My husband Joe Kopu and I were very fond of Banksey. Joe played with Mike back in the day and we often bumped into him when he was going to visit his Mom on Yonge Street. We’d stand chatting for ages. I remember so well when he told us about his daughter being born and how bowled over he was by the experience of being a dad and how amazed he was to receive such “unconditional love” from his daughter. He was a lovely man. I’m sure he’ll be sorely missed by those whom he loved.