John Banko

John was born in Cleveland, Ohio on April 5, 1945 to John and Celia Banko and grew up in the Shaker Heights suburb of Cleveland. Remembered for his resilience, quiet determination, and deep dedication to his family, John leaves behind a legacy defined by hard work, love, quick wit, dry humor, and a profound, lifelong faith.

He graduated from St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland, attended The Ohio State University in Columbus, and ultimately graduated from Cleveland State University. He later earned an MBA from the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Florida.

Having lost his father at the tender age of 12, he forged his signature work ethic and resilience early in life, earning his first dollars walking golf courses as a young caddy (which did spark a love for the game). Not shying away from grueling labor, he would later work in the historic steel mills of Cleveland to support his education and family.

He met his wife (Sandra Banko) of 55 years while attending Ohio State, and they later married in 1967 to begin their life together in Mentor, Ohio. With a growing family of his own, John worked his way into corporate management at Towmotor Corporation and Reliance Electric. His career took a major leap when he joined Harris Corporation, which moved his family to Melbourne Beach, Florida in 1978. He would round out his corporate career at Harris Graphics Corporation and ASJ Support Services, Incorporated before becoming an entrepreneur and purchasing A Moment's Notice Health Care in 1989, which he owned and managed until retirement.

John & Sandy eventually left Melbourne Beach and lived on the Sebastian River and then Indialantic, Florida for a few years before moving to the Davidson area of North Carolina in 2016. They ultimately settled into condominium living in 2021 with their move to Palm Coast, Florida.

Above all his professional achievements, John’s primary joy was his family and his active faith. When his children were younger, John loved spending time with them on the water (fishing, boating, waterskiing) and later attending a never-ending stream of soccer games, cheerleading competitions, horseback riding lessons, school plays, and so much more. He also embraced the role of Grandparent with all that entails. He was an avid golfer throughout his young adult life, enjoyed traveling to new places (including our National Parks, Hawai'i, Alaska, The Panama Canal, Columbia, and Jamaica), and remained an active, steadfast member of the Catholic church.

Survivors include 4 children Kathy Freihofer (husband Mike), John Banko (wife Khanh-Lien), Michael Banko, Becky McLane (husband Chip); 1 nephew Eric Geston; 2 great nephews Zachary and Jaret Geston;12 grandchildren Nathan Austin, Matthew Ryan, Gavin Michael, Zachary George, Sydney Kate, Samuel Alfred, Analise Sandra, Jack Ryan, Paul Roberts, Jessica Anh, John Reilly, Gus Dunleavy; 2 great grandchildren Connor Arohana, Charlotte Brooke. He's also survived by numerous in-laws and their offspring, with whom he shared a closeness and offered much advice about the "peaks and valleys" of marriage.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years Sandra Dunleavy Banko (2022), parents John Banko (1957) and Celia Banko Flynn (1993), and his sister Joanna Banko Geston (2026) plus husband Richard "Dick" Geston (2024).

John left us a final message to simply, "Carry On!" We shall do so proudly.

A funeral mass will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday October 31, 2026 at Santa Maria del Mar Catholic Church, 915 N Central Ave, Flagler Beach, Florida followed by a brief inurnment at Craig Flagler Palms Funeral Home & Flagler Memorial Gardens, 511 Old Kings Rd, Flagler Beach, Florida and a reception will follow at the Lodge at Hammock Beach Golf Resort and Spa.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN. www.stjude.org