Tribute Wall
In Memory of
Walter Roy Banks
1948 - 2019
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Rick C. Hodgin posted a condolence
Tuesday, May 25, 2021
Missing you, Walter. I think of you often. My great mentor and friend.
Update March 20, 2022 ... my life hasn't been the same since your passing. You really inspired me, and it's been amazing how much things have changed since then. I wish we could work together on a project. Some of my fondest adult memories came from your encouragement and the paths they guided me toward. I feel a notable loss by your passing. Truly miss you, my friend.
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Sandy Cushon posted a condolence
Wednesday, January 8, 2020
Sheila, Karen and families
So sorry to hear of Walter's passing.Hard to believe so many years have passed since we all rode the school bus together. I well remember coming over to help Walter do chores when Roy was away, probably to a Farm Union meeting with my dad. By and large, we stayed out of trouble! I can also remember your dad flooding the front part of the old red barn. Your father could skate circles around both of us. I can also remember Walter`s love of electronics, the oscilloscope AND the vacuum tube voltmeter. He was miles ahead of any other kid we knew. And at the time, we knew Walter wasn`t destined to become a farmer! But he was a true pioneer in the new world of electronics and computers. When I`m home, I often think of those times, a time when it was great to be a kid. And even though brother Ian has farmed the Bank`s farm for many years now, it is still the Bank`s farm, and always will be in our minds. All the best to you at this sad time.
Sandy Cushon and Karen Omelan
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Laura Banks posted a condolence
Thursday, December 26, 2019
Walter I miss you so much honey. Be safe and at peace.
Laura
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Chuck and Mary Lou Enright donated to HEART AND STROKE FOUNDATION OF ONTARIO
Monday, December 16, 2019
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Jack Ganssle posted a condolence
Monday, December 16, 2019
Oh so sorry for your loss. I worked with Walter in the 80s and 90s. What a smart, fun guy!
Jack Ganssle
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Howard & Connie Frohlich donated to CANADIAN CANCER SOCIETY - SOCIÉTÉ CANADIENNE DU CANCER
Saturday, December 14, 2019
Laura, our deepest sympathy. Walter will be missed.
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Mike Gore posted a condolence
Saturday, December 14, 2019
I am so sorry Laura, Carleton , Katherine, Karen and others for your loss, I will really miss him.
I first met Walter around 1978 at the University of Waterloo in in the CCNG lab just one year before he left to create Byte Craft Limited. In the later 1980’s I worked for Walter on and off over many years doing contract work for his company. He was an endless source of ideas, and when he talked about them, he expressed them with a kind of signature smiling enthusiasm that has formed a life long image of Walter in my mind. I keep a news clipping celebrating the 30th anniversary of Byte Craft from 2009 on my wall at work along with the smile. Carleton and Katherine seem to grow up so quickly. I remember when children were young Walter mentioning how proud he was how fast they were learning new things. Now they are both accomplished young adults. Sadly the last time I saw Walter together in person with his children and Karen McMurray was at Richard McMurray’s funeral.
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you – its hard to express a persons lifein words let alone the meaning they had to all those he touched.
Mike Gore
Mike Gore
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Sheila Glennie posted a condolence
Friday, December 13, 2019
Feeling the loss of my big brother Walter.
Fun on our Saskatchewan farm was building a house with the Cushon boys up in OUR tree, the biggest on either farm.. It had roll down windows salvaged from old cars. Who but Walter would have contrived that? From our farm life, we learned a connection with nature and our place in the world: watching the winter deer herds, having porcupine vs dog adventures, and examining the mysterious foil confetti dumped from supersonic jets flying over Canada from Minot North Dakota during the Cold War. There was a lot of freedom to play unsupervised even swimming in a dugout as long as Walter was there to watch Irene and I.. Walter was followed by dogs Buster and Tippy, we girls preferred the cats and kittens. Laura, glad you have your art studio and comfortable home in the woods and pets with the help of Walter. His photos of your world are great.
Family holidays were camping trips such as to Yellowstone Park in 1959 just before a significant earthquake. Then we followed the story in National Geographic magazine. We had many family visits to Johnson, Stewart, Kennett, Irwin, Stead, Smallshaw and Hartz cousins. Even though our contact tapered off we still have the family ties and history. Thanks for supportive messages from you in the last few days.
I used to sit on a high stool in the basement watching Walter tinker with everything mechanical and electronic. He built a working Ferris wheel from his Mechano set for Irene's little dolls when he was about 10. He tried to teach me about radio tubes, ham radio and a mysterious oscilloscope and suggested that he could “help” me build a radio for my science project, but I didn't get the lingo, just wanted to spend time with my big brother. Everything growing up was a precursor to his pretty well self-taught computer expertise and ability to always be curious and inventive. Walter turned his play into his life's work that was always play.
Walter dutifully helped our dad with harvest as long as he had a stack of electronics magazines beside him in the truck to read while the grain went into the bin. At an early age he knew he was leaving the farm, endorsed by dad who might have been an engineer himself if he would have had the chance. Mom had trouble feeding Walter enough. A loaf of homemade bread didn't last long as thick peanut butter and honey sandwiches and he had to drink quarts of mixed up powdered skim milk while I got a glass of milk from the carton. Mom appreciated Walter's help to drive our dad home from Texas after his last winter there and to move her from her home to a suite.
Walter got along well with anyone who shared his interests, such as his math and science teachers, but not so much the English and French ones, although he later learned quite a bit of Spanish in order to travel. He spent Saturdays in Oxbow at second cousin Jim Reed's Radio Shop. We both wanted our youngest sibling to be a boy (I in order to share tomboy games). She wasn't, but Karen became the most like Walter in abilities, interests and easy going nature and had a ready made career working with Walter.
Glad I could share watching our children grow up. I think Katherine and Carleton were glad he stopped 2 nights in one place at our place in Wadena on their epic teenage holiday with Walter from Waterloo to Tuktoyaktuk. His name is on a cairn there which I sponsored to support the Trans Canada Trail. Katherine, I hope you travel back to at least one place in the world to share memories with new daughter Evelyn. Sorry Walter didn't have a longer time to have the joy of being a grandparent. Katherine and Carleton, know that he was always so proud of you.
Sheila Glennie
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Sheila Glennie uploaded photo(s)
Friday, December 13, 2019
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OTIP Group of Companies donated to CANADIAN CANCER SOCIETY - SOCIÉTÉ CANADIENNE DU CANCER
Thursday, December 12, 2019
Thinking of you and your family.
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Louise Young uploaded photo(s)
Thursday, December 12, 2019
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We are so very sorry for your loss Laura, Walter was always the perfect gentleman. He so enjoyed all the
wildlife at the lake as evidenced by his hundreds of photographs and tales of close encounters with little critters on his daily walk abouts.
You will be missed Walter.
Louise and Bob Young
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Richard Soja posted a condolence
Thursday, December 12, 2019
I new Walter professionally back in the 2000's. He was a fine person, with great intellect and compassion. I am saddened to hear of his passing. Please accept my condolences. He is in my thoughts and prayers.
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Loretta and Roger Plomley posted a condolence
Wednesday, December 11, 2019
Laura and Family, our hearts go out to you.
We didn’t have the pleasure of knowing Walter personally but we do have the pleasure of hearing wonderful stories about his kindness and generous Spirit.
May you all find great strength and faith as you face this difficult time. Loretta and Roger Plomley
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The family of Walter Roy Banks uploaded a photo
Wednesday, December 11, 2019
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The family of Walter Roy Banks uploaded a photo
Wednesday, December 11, 2019
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laurawb13@gmail.com uploaded photo(s)
Wednesday, December 11, 2019
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Sandi & Herb Holst posted a condolence
Wednesday, December 11, 2019
Oh Laura, I am so sorry to hear this. Walter made me feel very welcome at the August Art Show in Lions Head. He complimented me on my photography but really emphasized the eagle picture. I was touched by this. He really pushed the point that I was good enough to be there. That meant so much to me because I hadn't had the confidence to go public until this year.
Laura, if you need anything, don't hesitate to connect me.
Our sincerest sympathies to you and the rest of the family.
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Ann Bacso posted a condolence
Wednesday, December 11, 2019
We are so very very sorry for your loss. Walter was a kind man & will be missed. Our love & hugs to you and your family.
Ann, Karen Ann & Lisette
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The family of Walter Roy Banks uploaded a photo
Wednesday, December 11, 2019
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Wiarton
430 Mary Street, Wiarton, Ontario N0H 2T0
Lion's Head Chapel
71 Main Street, Lion's Head, Ontario N0H 1W0
