Obituary of Stanley Frank Banko

CANISTEO: Stanley Frank Banko, 81, died Friday December 20, 2019 in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Born March 11, 1938, in Buffalo, N.Y., to the late Frank and Frances Banko, Stan resided in Canisteo, with wife, Barbara, and son Paul. He always had a unique charisma that resonated with joy and laughter. His one-line quips and storytelling endeared Stan to friends and strangers alike. Believing there was good in everyone, he would often start conversations with complete strangers and frequently referred to family, friends and strangers as “big guy “ or “young lady.” Stan enjoyed and mastered playing cards, particularly the games of poker and euchre. He was an avid sports fan, rooting for the Buffalo Bills, Buffalo Sabres and Boston Red Sox and against the New York Yankees. He was also an avid reader, mostly enjoying Western novels, detective mysteries and the daily newspaper. Stan’s true passion was spending time with his family and friends and making them happy, whether it was during a round of golf, a card game, celebrating over the holidays, a family reunion or other special occasion or just visiting. Stan was a communicant at Our Lady of the Valley Roman Catholic Parish in Hornell. He was also a former member of the former St. Joachim Church in Canisteo, where he was on parish council for many years and a lector. Stan was active in civic organizations, including the Hornell Moose Lodge, Canisteo/Hornell Lions Club, Hornell YMCA and on the board of Wimodaughsian Free Library in Canisteo. He also enjoyed pitching horseshoes as a member of the Hornell Horseshoe League. He will be missed by his poker-playing buddies at the Hornell Moose. He was the supervising right – of- way agent for the state of New York Department of Transportation, retiring March 11, 1993, after a 37 1/2-year career. He attended Hamburg High School and was a member of The National Honor Society. He is survived by his beloved wife Barbara of 61 years, four children: Alan (Rebecca) of Irwin, Pennsylvania; daughter Rebecca of Orange, California; Peter (Shana) of Georgetown, South Carolina, and Paul of Canisteo; six grandchildren Megan Beavers (Eric) and Adam and Zachary; and Declan, Cormac and Keeva; great grandchildren Everett and Frank (Megan); and brothers Richard (Jean) and Michael (Ginger) and sisters Rita Hodge (Tom), Linda Trippi (Rick) and Sandra Zrodlowski. He is also survived by dozens of nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 7-9 pm Thursday, August 27th at the H.P. Smith & Son, Inc. Funeral Home, 29 East Main St. in Canisteo with evening prayers at 8:45 pm. (Face masks and social distancing will be required at the funeral home). A memorial mass will take place Friday at 10:00 am at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Hornell. Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery in Canisteo. Memorial contributions in Stan’s name may be made to either Steuben Rural Ministries, St. Ann’s Perpetual Adoration Chapel, the Hornell YMCA or to the donor’s choice.