Obituary of Brian W. Banks

Remembering Brian W. Banks 4 April 1938 – 19 June 2019 Brian W. Banks passed away peacefully at 81 years of age, surrounded by his family at Parker Ridge Retirement Community, in Blue Hill, Maine. Brian was born in England where he first trained as a technical illustrator before moving on to studies in Fine Arts. He immigrated to Canada with his family in the early 1970s, working in graphic arts in the printing industry and after training in watercolours became a professional artist, hosting his own watercolour instruction series on television. He was truly an accomplished artist with some of his works being displayed throughout Canada and Europe. He returned to England in 1996 and used his Fine Art skills to work as an activities organizer in a care home facility for people with dementia, which was so successful that he launched a second career as an author, publishing “Activities for Older People” under the Butterworth Heinemann label in 2000. Brian spent the past twenty years living in Tucson, Arizona while enjoying the summer month’s at the family’s lakeside residence at Walker Pond, Sedgwick, Maine. Brian is predeceased by his parents John William Banks and Hilda May Banks nee Goodall and by his brother David. He is survived by his wife Betsy, his two daughters Julie (Jack) and Elaine (Stefan), his two grandchildren Emily (Adam) and Eric (Brier), his three step daughters Michelle (Roger), Serena (Sergei) and Lucia Nicola along with his four step grandchildren Finn, Calypso, Matilda and Benjamin, and family living in Canada and overseas. Brian was always a caring and patient man, who shared a wonderful sense of humour, and aside from his first love of creating beautiful and timeless pieces of fine art, took great pride in his family and wide circle of friends. Brian’s family would like to extend a special thank you to all the staff at Parker Court for the outstanding level of care, compassion and commitment. We are truly grateful for the attention you provided to Brian. Also, thank you to the Hospice Care team through Northern Light for their support and guidance. In addition, we would like to thank Dr. S. Walden and Dr. R. Rao for the continuing care provided over the past few years. A celebration of Brian’s life will be held at Parker Ridge Retirement Community, in Blue Hill, Maine and another in Tucson, Arizona dates to be announced.