Richard Daniel Banks Jr.

Richard D. Banks, Jr., 37, of Union, NJ passed away surrounded by loving family on April 26, 2016. Richie is the beloved son of Linda Kitchell Banks and Richard Banks Sr.; loving brother of Lauren; grandson of the late Hazel and Joseph Kitchell and late Esmeralda and L. Percivil Banks. He is also survived by loving aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Rich touched the lives of others with a gentle, kind and compassionate spirit. He would give the shirt off his back to friends – old and new. He had a huge heart, open ears and a gift for empathy. Those qualities and talents were often expressed in writings in journals and songs- a favorite pastime of his.

Will Rogers once said “If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.” Richard’s greatest passion was animals and he was a loving caretaker of his dog of 17 years, Harlo. He never had to live a day without Harlo, who died of old age and a broken heart after three days without his loving owner.

His ready smile, generous nature and wonderful personality made all who met him feel special and honored to be his friend.

Visitation will take place at McCracken Funeral Home in Union, NJ on Sunday May 1st from 2 – 6 pm. A service will be offered on Monday, May 2nd at 11 am at Connecticut Farms Presbyterian Church in Union followed by interment at Fairview Cemetery in Westfield, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Hubert’s Giralda Animal Welfare Center in Madison, NJ or on a Memorial Page devoted to Richie Banks at the Brain Aneurysm Foundation: http://give.bafound.org/site/TR/Events/General?px=1064506&pg=personal&fr_id=1040