daniel and gail banks

Daniel Bower Banks IV

Daniel Bower Banks IV, b. September 6, 1932, in Queens, New York, passed away March 31, 2018, in Arcadia, California. Son of Daniel Bower Banks III and Helen Constance Thompson, Dan grew up in Drexel Hill, PA and graduated from Drexel Hill HS. He attended Grove City College before embarking on a career in the oil industry. He was proud of his experience at sea aboard the oil tanker Chester Sun and in the field as a surveyor and inspector of oil refineries before being hired as a draftsman for C.F. Braun and Company in Murray Hill, PA. His relocation to C.F. Braun in Alhambra, CA began a long career, first as a draftsman, then as director of CAD systems, designing oil refineries around the globe. He also taught classes in piping design at East Los Angeles College.

A long time and faithful parishioner of the Church of Our Saviour in San Gabriel, Dan was particularly fond of his service as a lay reader and confirmation class instructor.

Dan married Mary Ellen Maronde in 1959. Together they enjoyed backpacking and eventually made homes and purchased income property in Alhambra and San Gabriel where they raised their three children. Mary Ellen passed away in 1980 after a long battle with cancer.

In 1982 Dan married Gail Pierson. Dan and Gail made cross country trips in their RV, as well as pilgrimages to Dixieland music festivals. Rarely apart, theirs was a love story that spanned decades. Dan preceded Gail in passing by mere weeks.

Dan was a loving husband, a supportive, and devoted father, and a listening and empathetic ear to all who knew him. His absence is deeply felt.

Dan is survived and missed by his children Daniel Bower (Simonetta Brocca) Banks V, Cynthia Ann (Michael) Scannell, and Kimberly Kanner. He is also survived by his grandchildren Ellen Elizabeth Banks and Daniel Bower Banks VI; Elizabeth Ann, Meredith Elise, Kathleen Carlin, and Delaney Rose Scannell; and Nicole Elise Kanner. His passing was preceded by the death of his sister Suzanne (Andrew)Vogel in 1974.

Gail Joanne Banks

Gail Joanne Banks (Pierson) born September 26, 1935 to Edith Longbottom Pierson, passed away April 24, 2018, in Pasadena, California. Raised in Vineland, New Jersey, Gail contracted polio at the age of 9. Despite, or perhaps due to her disability, Gail was an independent and driven woman. Her attention to detail led her to success as a trust officer at the Wilmington Trust Company (DE), and later as the loving spouse of Daniel Bower Banks IV, and mother to his children from his previous marriage.

Gail and Dan's marriage was a true love story, as they had reconnected later in life after dating in earlier years on the east coast. They were inseparable, and shared a love for traveling in their RV and Dixieland music, often combining the two at music festivals. Gail always stated that she loved RV travel so much because it afforded her a freedom and ability to see and do things she otherwise would not have.

Gail is survived and missed by her stepchildren; Daniel Bower (Simonetta Brocca) Banks V, Cynthia Ann (Michael) Scannell, and Kimberly Kanner. She is also survived by grandchildren Ellen Elizabeth Banks and Daniel Bower Banks VI; Elizabeth Ann, Meredith Elise, Kathleen Carlin and Delaney Rose Scannell; and Nicole Elise Kanner. A joint memorial service for Dan and Gail will take place at 11:00 AM on Monday, June 4, at the Church of our Saviour, 535 W Roses Rd, San Gabriel, CA, 91775. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Immunization Action Coalition at http://www.immunize.org/support/.