Michael W. Bannan Jr.

1929 - 2016

BRISTOL – Michael W. Bannan, Jr., 86, of Bristol, N.H. and formerly of Bristol, Conn., peacefully passed at his home surrounded by his family on Wednesday, April 13, 2016 after a valiant battle with cancer.

He was born in New Britain, Conn. on September 17, 1929, son of the late Michel W. and Anna C. (O'Connell) Bannan, Sr.  Mike was the husband of Lois (Greaves) Bannan, formerly of Littleton, N.H.

Raised in New Britain, he graduated from New Britain High School in 1948.  In 1950, he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Bryant College (now Bryant University).  After college, Mike enlisted in the Air Force and served as First Lieutenant, Squadron Adjutant and Personnel Officer.  He joined Connecticut General Health Insurance (now CIGNA) as a Salesman in 1953.  It is there where he met his wife, Lois.  In 1955, he moved on to Pratt & Whitney Aircraft as a Buyer and in 1960 he left to become a Marketing Manager at Cuno Engineering Corporation (now 3M Purification, Inc.), retiring in 1989.

Mike and his family fulfilled a dream in buying a summer cottage on Newfound Lake, in Bristol, N.H, in 1969 where they spent their summers for many years.  He thoroughly enjoyed the time swimming, boating, and on the beach with his family.  Upon his retirement, Mike and Lois permanently relocated to that cottage which had been converted into a year-round home and a gathering place for the extended family.

He was very active in the communities in which he resided.  While in Bristol, Conn., he served on the City Personnel Board, as a Parks Commissioner, and as a long-term Chairman of the Board of Education.  After retiring to Bristol, NH, he served as a member of the SAU 4 Board of Education, the Budget Committee, the Public Works Committee, as a Police Commissioner, and Selectman.  Mike was also a volunteer with the Newfound Lake Region Association and with New Hampshire Parks and Recreation.  He was an original sponsor and an active member of the Friends of Wellington State Park.

Mike was pre-deceased by his brother and sister-in-law John "Jack" and Sarah "Sally" Bannan and brother-in-law Walter Malona.

In addition to Lois, his wife of almost 60 years, he is survived by his sister Elizabeth "Betsy" Malona of Stratford, Conn.; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Arthur and Judith Greaves of Northampton, Mass.; son and daughter-in-law Michael and Pamela Bannan of Merrimack, N.H.; daughter and son-in-law Cathy and Dave Redman of Bristol, N.H.; daughter Tricia Bannan of Medfield, Mass.; former son-in-law Sal Pinto of Walpole, Mass.; grandchildren Michael Bannan of Nashua, N.H., Meghan (Bannan) Grant of Colchester, Vt., Jen Dudko of Westerly, R.I., Denise Dudko of Boston, Mass., Amy Pinto of Medfield, Mass., Kaitlyn Redman of Feeding Hills, Mass., Greg Redman of Concord, N.H., Rob Pinto, Somerville, Mass., Will Pinto of Arlington, Mass.; and several nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be held Sunday, April 17, 2016 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Emmons Funeral Home, 115 South Main St., Bristol, N.H.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, April 18, 2016 at 9:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Grace Chapel of Holy Trinity Parish, 2 West Shore Rd, Bristol, N.H.  Burial will be at St. Rose of Lima Cemetery, Littleton, N.H. at a later date.  

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Newfound Area Nursing Association (NANA) (newfoundareanursingassociation.org) 214 Lake St. Bristol, N.H. 03222 or the Mayhew Program (mayhewprogram.org) P.O. Box 120, 293 West Shore Rd. Bristol, N.H. 03222.