George J. Banks Jr.

BANKS, George John, Jr., 80, of Valrico, Florida joined his loving wife Virginia when he passed away at his home April 26, 2012 surrounded by his loving family. A former 36 year resident of Milton, New Hampshire, George was active in both state and local Milton politics where he was a former Beach Commissioner, Water Commissioner, Budget and Zoning Committee Member, Supervisor of the Voter Checklist and he was also a caretaker for Milton Cemeteries. A retired Navy Chief Petty Officer, George was a veteran of both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He worked at Spalding Fiber North Rochester Site, Ringe Industries in Gonic, Great Falls Bleachery in Somersworth, and the City of Dover, N.H. Heating Plant before retiring from the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in 1991. He was a member of VFW Post 5185 in Brooklyn N.Y.; Fleet Reserve Association, NARFE and a former Shop Steward with the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 156 while at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. He is predeceased by his wife, Virginia and two sons, Dennis and Michael. He is survived by his daughters, Regina Banks-Harrington and husband Charles of Boca Raton, Florida, and Laura Banks of Valrico, Florida; and sons, George and wife Cheryl of Saint Marys, Georgia, William and wife Katy of Strafford, N.H., James of Clearwater, Florida and Daniel of Rochester, N.H.; and 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends 6-8 p.m., Monday, April 30, 2012 with a funeral service at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 1, 2012 at Stowers Funeral Home, Brandon, FL., www.stowersfh.com. Interment with full military honors will be in Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, FL. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to LifePath Hospice or to the Wounded Warrior Project.