Carl Michael Banas

HADLEY - Carl Michael Banas, 96, of Hadley, passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017.

He was born in Hadley on Sept. 29, 1920, to the late Jacob and Anna (Wojnar) Banas. Carl served his country in the Navy during World War II as a gunner and engineer on patrol torpedo boats in the South Pacific. After his service to his country, he worked as a tractor trailer driver for Barstow Trucking and Coca Cola Company. Carl spent his retirement years focused on helping his son establish and grow Ideal Movers and Storage. He also spent countless hours cheering on and supporting his grandchildren as they grew. He enjoyed playing pitch with his family members. Carl also spent many hours in the summertime working on his garden, growing tomatoes, cucumbers, onions and pumpkins. He would strike up a conversation with the best of them and had a wonderful sense of humor. He was a member of the American Legion in Hadley, a volunteer firefighter for the Hadley Fire Department and a communicant of Most Holy Redeemer Church.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Lillian (Drozdal) Banas; their five children, Shelley Pattterson and her husband Jimmie of Davenport, Fla., Carla Banas of Hadley, Maryann Wood of Hadley, Brenda Sliker and her husband Charles of Atlanta, Ga., and Brent Banas and his wife Kathy of Hadley; his loving grandchildren, Lucas Wood, Briana and Garrison Banas, and Morgan Sliker; his sister Agnes and his brother John, both of Hadley; as well as many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents Jacob and Anna, he was also predeceased by several brothers and sisters.

The funeral will be Thursday, Jan. 26, at 10 a.m. from the Drozdal Funeral Home of Northampton followed by a Liturgy of Christian burial at 11 a.m. at Most Holy Redeemer Church to honor Carl's life; all of his friends are cordially invited to attend and pray with his family. Rev. Shaun O'Connor will officiate. Burial with Military Honors will follow at Holy Rosary Cemetery. Calling hours will be Wednesday, Jan. 25 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Drozdal Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Most Holy Redeemer Church, 120 Russell St., Hadley, MA 01035.

The family of Carl Banas wishes to thank everyone for their prayers for the repose of his soul and for the strength for his family. They also wish to thank the nursing staff in the cardiac telemetry unit at Cooley Dickinson Hospital and Hospice. Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord and let Perpetual Light shine upon him. May his soul and all the Souls of the Faithful Departed rest in peace. Amen.