Robert Banks was born on March 25th, 1942 by the late Dorothy Banks and Hamilton Banks and passed May 8th, 2019 from pancreatic cancer. Upon graduating from Woodrow Wilson High School in Queens New York, he set his sights on a beautiful girl living across the street. That girl doing outdoor chores was Leonora Joyce Banks, his future wife of 57 years and adoring soulmate. Even after all those years side by side, he still couldn't believe she chose him.
For 40 years he worked as a butcher. For his entire life, he found happiness in fishing, playing congas, dancing (always dancing), shoot'em up black and white cowboy movies on early weekend mornings, and Afro-Latin jazz and jazz music from the greats like Miles Davis, Quincy Jones, Tito Puente, and Eddie Palmeri.
Robert was a true family man and a dedicated and loving husband. He guided and influenced many of his nieces and nephews, family and friends.
Roberts passing comes with sorrow and grief, but with the support and love of family, all healing is possible. The days and years to come will not be the same, but they will still be filled with love, with music, and with laughter because that is what he brought us.
Robert Banks was born on March 25, 1942.
Robert A. Banks was survived by his wife Leonora Banks
Children: Robert Banks, Jr, Leslie Bonilla, Deborah DeJean
Grandchildren: Nicole Bonilla, Shaniqua Banks-Thornell, Justin Bonilla, Robert Tyrell Banks, Cortne Bonilla, Mia Banks, Andrew Checo, Matthew Checo
Great grandchildren: Asia Hallerdin, Alexander Thornell, Jericho Bonilla, Jesiah coming soon Kairo Thibou
Son and daughters-in-law: Lisa Banks, Raymond DeJean, Dominic Thornell, Erin Foster
Siblings: Dionne Wells, Deborah Banks, James Turner and Hamilton Banks.
Many nieces, nephews and tons of family and friends.
The song has ended but the melody lingers on.
