John Alexander BANFIELD

JOHN ALEXANDER BANFIELD
JOHN ALEXANDER BANFIELD 1924 – 2009 After a wonderful life of bringing music, laughter and friendship into the lives of those who knew him, on October 20, 2009, John moved on to be with the many friends who left before him. Born in Winnipeg on March 24, 1924, John met some of his oldest and closest friends at Grosvenor School and Kelvin High School. John attended the University of Manitoba where he received his Bachelor of Architecture in 1947. John met his only true love Suzanne Elizabeth Holland in 1958, whom he married in 1959. Together they had 4 children, Joe Banfield (Karen), Alexandra Sawchyn (Brent), Jeff Banfield (Stephanie) and Ashleigh Banfield-Gould (Howard). He leaves behind 9 grandchildren; Nicky, Spencer and Fraser Banfield, Matthew and Leigh Sawchyn, Alexandra and Mackenzie Banfield, and Fischer and Ridley Gould.
Affectionately known by his grandchildren as G-John, he lived his life in Winnipeg, but his heart was always in Kenora, Ontario on The Lake of the Woods. Spending his childhood at the lake, it was only natural that he would build his own family cottage there. Over the decades that followed on Turnbull Island, he and Suzie entertained their friends and family. John will be remembered for the countless evenings of fun and laughter around the piano. He was always happiest at Lake of the Woods whether if it was at the family cottage, at friends or on Banfield Island. John was an active member of the Royal Lake of the Woods Yacht Club, held many responsibilities over the years. In 1972 he was instrumental in the building of the club's first tennis courts. In 1976 John became the club's Commodore. He loved the annual Power Squadron that explored the far corners of Lake of the Woods. Fellow members often remarked that he was a good navigator, or a very lucky one.
John was one of the first 30 life members of the Winnipeg Squash Racquet Club and was a long standing member of PASSWA. John was a wonderful grandfather to his 9 grandchildren. In spite of the five thousand kilometers that separated all of them, John spent every holiday for the past 18 years travelling between New York, Connecticut, Balsam Lake, Ontario, Toronto, Kenora, Vancouver and Whistler. He and Suzie taught all of their Children to ski on the banks of the Red River and the Manitoba Escarpment. If Kenora was the glue for the family during the summers, skiing was the glue come winter. His children continue to be avid skiers, as are his grandchildren. John has left everyone he touched something very special, fond memories of days we never want to forget.
A service will be held on Monday, October 26 at 3 p.m. at St. George's Anglican Church, Crescentwood, Winnipeg, Manitoba. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Lung Association.