Middleton, NS
November 28, 1937 - January 9, 2025
James Manning Banks, age 87, passed away peacefully at the VAC Long Term Care Facility at Soldiers Memorial Hospital on January 9, 2025.
Born in Berwick Hospital on November 28th, 1937, he was the only child of Charles and Mildred Banks. Manning grew up and lived in Tremont. Manning attended school at Kingston Village School and graduated from Kingston Bible College Academy. As a young man, he served as a reserve in the West Novies.
Manning worked in various jobs throughout his life which included working for Municipal Construction on the construction of Highway 101, helping to build DND housing, picking apples in Maine, and various other jobs before going to work for Thompson’s Transfer in the Nictaux warehouse where he worked for 30 years until his retirement in 1997.
He married his sweetheart, Geraldine “Gerry” Frances (McGrath) in 1957 and they raised three children during their 37-year marriage. Following Gerry’s death in 1994, Manning married Rosalie Mary Bruce three years later in 1997. They were married for 23 years during which time they took in and raised Rosalie’s grandson, William, following the death of her daughter, Janice Bartlett in 2006.
Manning was widely respected in the community for his work ethic, good-natured disposition, humour and devotion to his family. Manning loved to be outside working in his garden or getting his winter supply of wood. He was a caregiver by nature who not only provided for his family but also cared for many others: he cared for his aging parents in the 1980’s; he provided tender palliative care for Gerry in her final battle with cancer; and provided care for Rosalie who had many health issues before she passed away in 2020. He often helped neighbors in need with extra firewood. He spent many hours as a caretaker in the Tremont Cemeteries and was one of the original five directors who initiated the non-profit society, Tremont Community Cemetery Society, who reclaimed the cemeteries from the former Baptist church. He served as a director until 2018.
Manning is survived by his son, Jim Banks, Tremont, NS and by his two daughters: Cathie (Merle) Matthews, Sackville, NS and Pam (Dan) Muise, Tremont, NS. He is also survived by 7 grandchildren, his step-grandson, and 5 great-grandchildren.
The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the wonderful staff of Annapolis Valley VON and the dedicated staff of the VAC Long Term Care Facility at Soldiers Memorial Hospital who have tended to Manning over the last few years, as well as caring family, friends and neighbours.
A funeral service will be held 2:00PM Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at Middleton Funeral Home, 398 Main Street, Middleton, 1-855-825-3448 with Rev. Janet Baker officiating. The service will be livestreamed and available to watch beginning at 1:55 p.m. AST by going to the funeral home’s website and selecting the “live stream” option on the home page. A private family burial will be at the New Tremont Cemetery, Tremont.
Donations in his memory may be made to the Tremont Community Cemetery Society or a charity of your choice.
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