Mark Robin Banks, had analytical mind
Sadly, Mark R. Banks, 64, of Milford, passed away due to COVID complications Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022, at BayHealth Hospital in Milford.
Mark was born April 5, 1957, to Ruley Franklin Banks Jr. and Hannah Joan Holland Banks of Dagsboro. Mark was an active member of the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts with his father, Ruley, helping as the scoutmaster. Mark played clarinet in Indian River High School’s marching and stage bands. In addition, he worked as a projectionist at the Clayton and Midway movie theatres during his high school years. Mark graduated from Indian River High School in 1975 and Delaware Tech with a degree in electronics and electrical engineering in 1978. He also took electrical engineering courses through the University of Delaware.
After graduation, Mark worked at NCR in Millsboro, and upon the plant closing in 1981, he transferred to NCR in South Carolina. In the mid-1980s, Mark returned to Delaware to utilize his electrical training at Confidential Services and later, Security Instrument in Lewes. He had a very analytical mind and loved a challenge.
Mark served on the Annual Halloween Milford Parade Committee as Alex - the parade mascot, float maker, cleanup person and fundraising conductor. He never craved the limelight, but was there as needed. Because of Mark’s efforts, the parade has continued to grow every year.
Mark loved his family and friends deeply. He attended annual Banks family reunions, enjoyed holidays with his brother, Brian and sister-in-law Rhonda, along with many extended family and friends, and looked forward to lunches and dinners to catch up with family and friends. Mark traveled to theatrical productions, wine tastings and many events with his special friend, Vanessa Laughmann. He also loved to travel with friends and had ventured to multiple U.S. states and countries, including Iceland, England, France, Canada and Mexico, during his adult years.
Mark was a very special, generous and reliable person. He devoted his life to helping his parents as they aged and would take the shirt off his back to help anyone, placing their needs first. He will be greatly missed.
Mark R. Banks is survived by a brother, Brian K. Banks and his wife Dr. Rhonda W. Banks of Salisbury, Md.; an uncle and aunt, Stanley and Patsy Banks of Millsboro; an aunt, Rosemary Brown of Hardscrabble; nieces and cousins. In addition, Mark had several close friends, including Vanessa Laughmann, Steve Reese, Robert Herrington, Norwood Truitt and Tommy Veasey. Mark was preceded in death by his parents, Ruley and Hannah “Joan” Banks, uncle and aunt, Ralph and Joan Banks, uncle and aunt, Sidney and Minerva Banks, and uncle, Peter Brown.
Funeral arrangements will be handled by Watson Funeral Home in Millsboro, watsonfh.com. The viewing and funeral services celebrating Mark’s life will be held at 12 and 1 p.m., respectively, Saturday, Jan. 29. Interment will be at Midway Presbyterian Cemetery in Rehoboth Beach immediately following the funeral. Donations can be made to the Brandywine Valley SPCA, Georgetown Campus, 22918 Dupont Blvd., Georgetown, DE 19947, bvspca.org.
