Donald H. Banks

March 14, 1942 - March 26, 2014

MILFORD - Donald Harry Banks, a long-time resident of the Village of Milford, passed away at his home Wednesday night, March 26, 2014. He was 72.

Born March 14, 1942, in Worcester, he was one of nine children of Maurice and Catherine (Brown) Banks. He graduated from Worcester Central School with the Class of 1962.

A Veteran of the Vietnam War, Donald was inducted into the United States Army in February of 1964, and proudly served his country as part of Battery C, 2nd Battalion, 10th Artillery, 197th Infantry Brigade. He received his Honorable Discharge from the military in February of 1966.

On March 23, 1968, Donald married Caroline May Hubbell in a ceremony at the Middlefield Baptist Church. In 1970, Donald and Tootsie moved to the Village of Milford where they have since resided.

For 24 years, Donald was employed as a custodian at the Milford Central School, retiring in 1995.

Throughout his life, Donald was a devoted fan of the New York Yankees. With equal enjoyment, he and Tootsie played Bingo at many different places throughout the region. Always a people person, his love of Bingo gave him the opportunity to meet and make friends with many people. He also enjoyed listening to country music and bowling, and will be fondly remembered for his wonderful sense of humor.

Donald is survived by his wife of 46 years, Caroline "Tootsie" Banks, of Milford; one daughter, Teresa Sloan and her partner, Jamie Kiser, of Whitesboro; one son, Stephen Banks and his wife, Melissa, of Westville; six grandchildren, Stephen Banks, Jr., Daniel Banks, Jenna Banks, Tyler Sloan, Brittany Sloan and Dylan Kiser; four brothers and three sisters-in-law, Ernie and Esther Banks of Richmondville, George and Paulene Martin of Florida, Jerry and Violet Banks of Connecticut, and Gary Banks of Albany; and several nieces and nephews. He is further survived by his wife's siblings and their families, Ed and Alma Hubbell of Florida, Art and Donna Hubbell of Middlefield, Marian Dornburgh of Pleasant Brook, and Shirley Johnson of Laurens.

He was preceded in death by his parents and four siblings, Ray, Kenny, Myra and Charlotte Banks. He was also predeceased by Betty McCauley, Bill McCauley and Theodore "Ted/Skookie" Dornburgh.

A Memorial Service will be offered at 5 p.m. on Monday, March 31, 2014, at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown, with the Rev. Sharon Rankins-Burd, pastor of the Fly Creek United Methodist Church, officiating.

The Banks family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday afternoon one hour prior to the service.

As an alternative to flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the Milford Emergency Squad, P.O. Box 359, Milford, NY 13807.

Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.  



If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers at (607) 547-8822, or A Rose is a Rose at (607) 264-3100.