Obituary of Brigadier General Don BANKS

BANKS, Brigadier General (Retired) Donald - Don passed away peacefully while lovingly surrounded by his devoted wife and children on December 4, 2015 at the age of 75. Survived by his dearly beloved wife, Carolyn, daughter Sandra (Kim) and son Patrick (Trish). Loving and proud grandfather to Kate, Grace, Zachary and Justin. Brother of Bud (Madeline), Jack (Margaret) and the late Margaret (Chuck) Cox. Brother-in-law to the late William (Ann) Hutcheson and dear uncle to many nieces and nephews. Don had a very distinguished career in the Canadian Army, starting as an Apprentice Soldier and rising to the rank of Brigadier General in the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals/Communications Electronics Branch. He served with distinction and honour across Canada and overseas. He commanded at every rank level, and locally as Commanding Officer of the 1st Canadian Signal Regiment, Commandant of the School of Communications and Electronics and more recently as Base Commander of Canadian Forces Base Kingston. After promotion to Brigadier General in July 1990, he assumed command of the Canadian Forces Communication Command. In June 1993, he was inducted into the Order of Military Merit in the rank of Commander. After retirement, Don remained active in the local military and civilian community, serving as Colonel of the Regiment for 1st Canadian Division Headquarters and Signal Regiment; president of Signals Welfare Incorporated; as a member of the Board of Governors of the Corps of Commissionaires. He was also, for many years, a Director on the Board of the Military Communications and Electronics Museum, where he was one of the driving forces behind the production of the Corps/Branch history. He was appointed Colonel Commandant of the C&E Branch in February 2000 and was serving in that capacity during the visit of the Branch Colonel-in-Chief, HRH the Princess Royal, Princess Anne in 2003. Don will be missed by his many friends, both military and civilian as he had a positive effect on all those who had the great fortune to know him. The family will receive friends at the JAMES REID FUNERAL HOME, 1900 John Counter Blvd, on Tuesday, 8 December 2015 from 2-5 p.m. and from 7-9 p.m. A funeral service will be held on the Base at the Reading Drill Hall (Drill Hall Alpha - 10 Satellite Ave., Vimy Barracks CFB Kingston.) at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, 9 December 2015. Reception to follow at the Vimy Officers Mess. Donations in Don 's memory may be made to the Communications & Electronics Museum or the Canadian Lung Association.