Tommy BANKS Obituary
December 17, 1936 - January 25, 2018
The family of Tommy Banks announces a Celebration of Tommy's Life on Wednesday, February 14, 2018 at 7 p.m. at the Winspear Centre, Edmonton. Questions may be directed to 780-428-1108 or [email protected].
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
30 Entries
Susan McCalla
March 12, 2018
Growing up in Edmonton,Tommy Banks was a recognized name in our community. A wonderful musician. My sincere condolences to his family.
February 21, 2018
To Ida and family. Our condolences. We were lucky to travel along a rich path of entertainment in Edmonton with Tommy as the leading light. From Orion to the Embers to the Yardbird we were never let down. All Canadians joined in that benefit of his contributions with Tommy's appointment to the Senate. He was truly great.
Bobbie and Lynn Patrick.
February 14, 2018
He will truly be missed. He was a great man.My condolences to the family.
Janice Scott (Browning)
February 14, 2018
As a teenager, Tommy used to deliver groceries on his bike with a big basket for my Grandfather John Browning. He remained a friend of the Browning family for many years
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Ralph Thurn
February 14, 2018
Today my thoughts are of Tommy, a gift to the world. The world will be a less happy place without him. I produced his album "Yes Indeed" for CBC Records. Humble Tom though no one would want a solo Album...Surprise Tom Everyone loved it as we did you...RIP
Rob Lake
February 14, 2018
George "Keoki" Lake has asked me to convey his deep regrets that he is unable to attend the celebration of life for Tommy Banks due to his own recent hospitalization for influenza and other issues. He sends his best wishes to the family.
Marilyn Dingle Thorndycraft
February 12, 2018
"The Stage is a World of Entertainment" was the finale of every Orion Musical Theatre production. Tommy, Musical Director, and Dasha Goody,Director, would lead all of us into our rousing "That's Entertainment" before the final curtain. Now Tommy has conducted his last "That's Entertainment" before his final curtain call. I met Tommy when we were 12 years old, and even with all of his accomplishments, he kept in touch. That's the kind of friend he was. Forever missed by all who were privileged to know him.
Bud Sollitt
February 11, 2018
Sorrowed by his passing. We were contemporaries in Edmonton, and gigged together for about a year circa 1954--His talent was huge, and we diverged because mine wasn't, but he remained a hero always.
Pauline Le Bel
February 8, 2018
So sad to hear of Tommys passing. He was a most gracious and kind man. He put me at ease when I was a young singer on his television show, and got right into the swing of things when we did a concert for Edmontons bicentennial. He could play anything. I insisted he sing. He had a warm lovely voice. My deepest sympathies to Ida and the family. His life was a blessing to all of us.
Pauline Le Bel, Bowen Island, BC
JOE and DARLENE VASSOS
February 8, 2018
I was truly shocked when I heard of Tom's passing as I thought he would live forever.
He was such a huge influence in my life. I have so many fond memories of the times we had with both Tom and Ida.
I first met Tom when I was 19, singing in a University musical production with Tom as the musical director. We were almost the same age but he became such a big influence as I got involved in musicals, plays and stand up comedy. Tom became my mentor and Ida my agent. He was so supportive in getting me involved in radio, television and gigs around town.
He gave me my first break by inviting me to entertain at his Ember's Night Club. I was also privileged to be part of Tom's CBC Group to fly up North on a military Hercules to entertain the Troops in Inuvik and Whitehorse.
Tom was my hero for the way he was "so cool" at such a young age to play piano for all the celebrities that came into town, like Bob Hope.
Above all his talents, he was the kindest, most friendly, good-natured guy you could ever meet...and he never forgot a name.
It was an honor and privilege for my wife Darlene and me to have Tom for a friend.
There will never be another Tommy Banks.
We will never forget him!
Sandi Sutherland
February 6, 2018
We may not have been frequently in touch but we certainly were proud of Tom. Heaven's orchestra is in for a surprise. So sorry for you loss. Rest well, Cousin, you have earned it.
February 5, 2018
Tommy Banks could play the piano and converse with anyone in the world. I grew up watching him perform and drew inspiration from him.
Gary Skakun
James Clarke
February 3, 2018
My sincere condolences to the Banks family. Tommy was such a kind and humble person. His legacy inspired and touched so man, as it will continue to do.
Susie Whalen Janzen
February 3, 2018
The feeling of loss is profound. My mom June Whalen sang with Tommy at the Embers and other gigs around town for years! I have known Tommy my whole life! I was always impressed how he remembered everyone's name and he always made me smile when we called me Suze! You will be greatly missed by so many Tom. My sincere gratitude for all you have done for our music industry and for being so gracious. Sincere Condolences to your beautiful wife and family.
Barry and Shelley Hoffman
February 3, 2018
Always a gentleman, a friend and a wonderful musician. So sorry for your loss Ida. Bless you and you family.
Tom Foster
February 2, 2018
Condolences to Tommy's family. He was a great man who treated people fairly and with a lot of integrity. I was honored to go to China and Japan with him. I still remember the look on his face after driving the truck we had to rent to transport our gear from the Osaka Airport to our hotel DURING MORNING RUSH HOUR on the LEFT Hand Side of the road with a translator who did not know the roads very well. Tommy stepped up and made it happen. Wow. He will be remembered and missed. Much love.
Al Girard
February 2, 2018
Our city, our province and our country are better places because Tommy Banks cared and shared his talents. I'm proud to have known him, and I am sad he has left us, but his legacy will live on.
Donna Singh
February 2, 2018
Tommy Banks was a friend and mentor to several of my family members especially my aunt,Judi Singh. I met him several times and he was always kind. He really was Mr Edmonton.
My condolences to his family.
Sincerely,
Donna Singh
Colin Wright
February 2, 2018
Thanks Tommy for the time you afforded me over the years! The band up there just got a whole lot better and an attitude beyond reproach!
Marie Russell
February 1, 2018
I shall always remember one of the most intelligent Senators I have had the honour to meet. He was humble and so talented. When I was invited to meetings in Paris he graciously assisted me in preparations for my meetings on agricultural issues. I offer my sincere condolences to the family and thank you for sharing such a wonderful person.
Pete White
February 1, 2018
I first met Tommy around 1969. I'd heard he might be opening a recording studio so Paul Hann and I arranged to meet him at his club, The Embers. When we walked in, he stopped the band rehearsal and with his perpetually cold cup of coffee, came over to chat. We were just kids but he talked to us like we were totally professional musicians. Famous or unknown, Tommy called everybody Man and treated everybody the same. Later on, he gave us a deal on recording time that got Paul's first album made. A couple of years later, we were out at The Bunker' working on the second album when I bumped into him in the foyer. He asked me how it was going and I told him we'd run out of money but assured him we'd be back. He looked at me and said, Just finish it, man. We'll work something out. He was not only a fine musician and a pillar of Canadian music, but a kind, generous, and thoroughly decent human being. Tommy, it was a privilege to have known you.
George Lake
February 1, 2018
Tommy and I go back a long way in our friendship and mutual love of music. I was deeply honoured when he and Ida attended my 80th birthday celebration 10 years ago. Such an amazing person who accomplished every challenging goal. Truly a great Canadian who will be sadly missed.
George "Keoki" Lake
Alexander S. Romanchuk
February 1, 2018
I well remember Tommy & his band playing at the Starland, Rainbow and Troc in the 1950s where we danced & jived to his music. He even came to Grande Prairie in the 1960s. I remember him from the Yardbird & Winspear Centre. He was deeply committed to Edmonton, indeed, one of the finest Canadian's one can know, a gentleman whose good looks were only superceded by his intelligence. He was a "Joy to the World" and left such lasting and positive good memories with all of us.
Teresa Skarlicki
January 31, 2018
Tommy Banks was a gracious, generous person who I was proud to have as an icon of everything good Edmonton.
Will always remember him playing the piano in the foyer of the Cross Cancer Institute several years ago! So glad I took time to see him at the jazz fest this summer! He was just amazing!
Rose Marie S.
January 31, 2018
Dear Banks Family,
While I did not know Mr. Banks personally, I remember having him as an adjudicator at a Kiwanis Music Festival at the Jubilee Auditorium here in Edmonton, in about 1973. I would have been in Grade Seven, so about twelve years old. I remember being not so much nervous, as excited to be in the festival, and to have Tommy Banks judging our band. When you're a kid that age, THE Tommy Banks was about the most famous person that I knew, and I thought that this was pretty darn cool to get to be playing in front of him!!
As my own Grade Seven Music Teacher, Mr. Bill L., wrote in my autograph book in 1973, Keep a song in your heart, and life will treat you well.
Please accept my most heartfelt condolences on the loss of your beloved Tommy Banks. Hear him with your heart. Feel him with your soul. May the beautiful and precious memories that you have of him, be the music to your soul, to sustain you in the days ahead.
With my most sincere sympathy,
Rose Marie S.
Angela & Tim Freedman
January 31, 2018
Ida, Family & Friends: Our deepest sympathies on Tommy's passing. Gone to soon is a man who not only dearly loved his family, ET AL but also his country in such a generous and giving way. Tommy you will be dearly missed. God bless.
Agnes Scott
January 30, 2018
Tommy Banks was a symbol of Edmonton throughout my life. Rest in peace.
Rennie Domshy
January 30, 2018
A moment shared - My heart too, is full of love and gratitude for Tommy!
As a son of a father who also was a musician, my heart feels again the loss of what many others will feel, the personality of the man's music.
Tommy Banks music was share by a special group who on Thursday and Friday, after work, would 'rush' to the Embers before 2:00 AM to personally relate to the real man and his music.
All of us are already missing you.
The Caravan, Hosts - Waiters - Busboys - Cooks - Salad people and Dishwashers.
~ Rennie
Don Archbold
January 30, 2018
Thank God for Tommy Banks. He was everything and more that people have said about him and I'm thankful that I knew him, because he helped me in so many ways when I was starting out.
An excellent role model and truly great human being.
RIP Tommy.
Dorie Miller
January 30, 2018
My heart is full of love and gratitude for Tommy
He lived a giant life, as Bob's son put it, but kept his feet on the ground and had the common touch
So many kindnesses to our family and friends and so many, many happy memories!
My profound sympathies and love to his wonderful family, his many, many friends, his city, his country and,yes, the world
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