Albin Phillip Banko

Al Banko was born on January 14, 1949, in Cleveland, Ohio. He was the middle son to parents Jack A. and Sylvia V. Banko. He lived a wonderful life filled with service, adventure, friendships, and family. He passed away surrounded by family on April 16, 2023.

Al served in the Navy special forces in Vietnam. Twenty-four of his Trident team members were killed in one day during the Battle of Hue. He was wounded during the continuing siege. When Al returned to active duty, his assignments were flying into different locations across Europe at a moment’s notice. In 1967, during bootcamp, he was honored to travel to Chicago’s Soldier Field to be part of only the second time in history that enlisted men were formed into a human living flag draped in red, white, and blue. It had first been done 50 years earlier in 1917.

Al was raised in the outdoors. He worked at his grandfather’s apple orchard and sold cider at their fruit stand. He would go hunting with his Uncle Bill, a sport which became a lifelong passion. He would also fish off his father’s boat in Lake Erie with his brothers while growing up. He became an expert marksman and enjoyed the camaraderie of several gun clubs over the years. By trade, Al was an electrical contractor. He started his own business, North Point Electrical Contractors, in Mayfield Heights, Ohio. He later added another company, TurnKey Construction, and brought on a partner who was also an avid hunter. Together those two traveled the country on hunting trips that would last up to 30 days at a time.

He served his community on the Board of Directors for the Department of Insurance in Cleveland, but in 2000, he moved to Clovis, California to be close to his youngest daughter, Vivian. Al loved the cowboy way of life. He enjoyed working horses and riding broncos in various rodeos when he was younger. He also enjoyed golfing with friends and riding his Harley. He would jingle for the Mountain Mamas in the Sierras.

Al was known for being able to talk with anyone he met. He had a great sense of humor and enjoyed pranking people. He was an amazing storyteller, and he had some great stories. He was convinced his grandfather was his guardian angel, and after hearing about all his near-death experiences, we all believed it to be true.

He loved his adventures, but what he loved most were his wife, Mary Ann, and his four amazing daughters, Barbara, Patricia, Pamela, and Vivian. He loved them unconditionally and was so grateful to be part of their lives.

Al always believed “life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, cigarette in one hand, favorite beverage in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming ‘woo hoo – what a ride!’” Mission accomplished, Al. Al was such a good man and had such a powerful presence, we cannot imagine life without him.

Al is survived by his wife, Mary Ann; his daughters, Barbara Zellman (Jason), Patricia Ewing, Pamela Robinson (Gary), and Vivian Marlow; stepdaughter Jennifer Smith (Aaron); two grandsons, Gavin and Conner Robinson; granddaughters, Alexandra Ewing and Alyssa Robinson; brother Ray Banko; his favorite cousins, Linda Clements, who was more like a sister to him, and Roberta Rohde; and his dog, Cody. He also had numerous in-laws that accepted him as their own family.

Al was predeceased by his parents, brother Jack Banko, nephew J.B. Banko, and second cousin, W.C. Clements.

Services are to be held on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. at Boice Funeral Home, 308 Pollasky Avenue, Clovis, California 93612.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.boicefuneralhome.com for the Banko family.