- Norman GrindleyThe Banks family: From left are the late Don Banks's son Gordon, his widow Marguerite, and another son, Paul. Immediately behind them are (from left) Mr. Banks' sister Norma Eaton, and her son Bruce Eaton.
Omar Anderson, Staff Reporter
DON BANKS, retired National Commercial Bank's (NCB) group managing director and chairman, was yesterday remembered as a loyal and dedicated father, a frank and trusted boss who disliked pretence, and a humble brother who was a gentle giant.
Hundreds of mourners turned out at a thanksgiving service held at Christ Church in Vineyard Town, Kingston, to pay their last respects to Mr. Banks who was fondly called "Donnie".
It was a sombre moment as tributes flowed unrestricted for the 69-year-old former bank chairman who died in hospital a week ago due to complications related to diabetes from which he had been suffering for some time.
Mr. Banks retired from NCB in 1994 after becoming its first managing director in 1977. He's survived by his widow Marguerite, and three sons: Paul, Ian, and Gordon.
Norma Eaton, his only sister, in her tribute remembered her younger brother as someone from whom persons could seek advice, including herself. She also unearthed memories of their early years living with their mother and aunt, where besides learning to spell words like commitment, honesty, integrity and discipline, they all had to ensure those words were practised.
"He was a humble man - had no airs - was not impressed by titles or ostentatious behaviour," Mrs. Eaton said of the retired banker, whose body is to be cremated. "Keeping up with the Joneses was arrant nonsense he didn't even know who these people were."
One of Mr. Banks' sons, Ian, remembered his father for the unique way both shared a particular zest for farming and bird-shooting.
"He always used to say he would rather have been a farmer than a banker but circumstances prevented him from taking up farming full-time," the younger Mr. Banks said.
