The obituary notice of Patrick BANKS

He taught us all how to drive and would always tell us ‘to enjoy yourself’. Dad was taxi man to all of us. He took me to Uni, teacher training and every placement.

When I started working in Glasgow, he would come. He loved Glasgow life and when I moved into Glasgow, Dad was in his element, drinking in Byres Road and he was the best company. As an adult, I was beyond privileged to have my Dad by my side. He saw all his children married and his heart was filled with so much pride for his grandchildren – Danielle, Jamie, Jack, Ryan, Erin, Sarah, Ciaran, Grace and Dylan. He loved them all. He loved his nieces and nephews and his ‘Canadians’ loved their Uncle Pat. People brought him so much joy.
For the past 10 years, since Erin was born, we had the greatest privilege that Dad was part of my family.

Dad encouraged me every step of motherhood. To be in his company was to be loved. For the past 5 years, Dad lived with us every weekend. I feel blessed for this time. For the last 5 years, there is not a soft play, swimming pool, park, farm, chapel and coffee shop we did not venture to with Dad, Stephen and the girls. I thank god for giving Dad this time. I will treasure this for the rest of my life.
No words can explain the love between a father and a daughter. It is unbreakable bond. Dad was to me a character. I know he was no saint – I have too many stories that tell me different. Dad was a rebel, stood up for what he believed in, told you straight, loved his own and loved company and a good time. He was a determined man and he followed no ones path but his own. He loved and was loved. Dad, I hope you are with mum, gran, William and your pals. I love you. Thank you for everything. You were right ‘ we never died of a winter yet and the apples will grow again’. God bless.

https://youtu.be/9YseeZkVk5A

A true fixer - Dad would help anyone. He loved his lorries and driving them was his greatest passion. He loved to work and as a young man – he was I believe destined for greatness. Dad’s love for life and his lorries, was changed forever when he was involved in a bad accident. One that was a freak of nature, but one that haunted him forever. I pray Dad that this pain has left you. I know this sadness changed your road in life.
As is the Banks way, Dad was always supported by his friends and family.

Every story Dad would tell me, would involve working in different places and everywhere Dad worked, he had pals and a girlfriend. Dad loved working in Flotter, up north and from this experience, he was offered the chance to work oversees. However, the heart rules the head and Dad decided to stay and be with my mum. Mum and Dad meet in the early 70’s when mum worked at the Cassinova. Dad was forever in love with our Mum. It was this love and shared sense of catholic values and family, that remains and lives on forever. Mum and Dad’s greatest achievement were their children – Stephen, Kevin, myself and the baby Gerard. We were raised with love, work ethic, faith and experiences that we will treasure forever. Mum and Dad tried through so much hardship, illness and alcoholism to keep us all together. Life at times was hard, painful, heart breaking and sad. However, we came through the over end – still together, still a family, still loyal and still very much a Banks family. This bond was unbreakable even now.

As a child and adult, there is nothing Dad wouldn’t have done for me and our love was never ending.
Everyone will have their own special story of Dad. I have a lifetime. For us a family, our memories keep dad alive. Dad loved to travel, always up for an adventures to Ireland, Canada, Tenerife, Benidorm, Lourdes and Canaries. If there was a holiday and a party – Dad was there. Dad loved working in Manchester and as teenagers, we thought Dad was good fun.

My Dad
On behalf of the Banks Family I would like to thank you all for coming today. Today we say good bye to our Dad Patrick. He was a very loved Dad, Grandpa, Brother, Uncle and Friend. He was to me, and every one here a special man who was gentle, kind, loving and a character.

Dad was born on 4th September 1948 in Dundyvan Road, the ‘slap up’ in his treasured Coatbridge. Dad was adored by his mother, Cecilla and was always everyone’s special boy. Dad was 1 of 4 children and to the end, his sister Catherine and brothers William and John were his closest allies. Dad was a Townhead man, and I know that growing up in Thornton Street gave my Dad a lifetime of good memories and values. Dad was very proud of who he was, where he came from and always took pride in helping people and looking after his own. Dad would speak fondly of his neighbours and pals. I always got a sense that everyone looked out for each other and even when times were hard, they were in it together. This is one of the many lessons that Dad taught me.

Dad was a St Bartholomew’s pupil and for him, school was all about his pals and football. No words can thank Tam enough for his support. Dad had love of trains and always wanted to be a stream train driver. There was nothing Dad didn’t know and love about trains and engines. He could fix everything and could make anything work. Yesterday I saw a picture of Dad when he was at St Augustine’s Secondary and I could see in his eyes, he was a young man, eager to get into the world, spread his wings and roam free. His friendship with his best pal – our beloved Tam McPake was the greatest friendship of all time.
Dad was a crafter and worked very hard in every job he had.

He trained in the famous Hyrdocon and this training set Dad for life. Dad was a master of all things mechanical. As a child, I watched him fix, build, create such master pieces. He was very talented and, in my eyes, amazing. Growing up, he fixed everyone’s cars, vans,

Loved and missed every moment of every day Dad. X