On March 6, 2013, Richard Harold Banyon of Fairview Nursing Home (formerly of 1333 North Road, Groton) went home to be with the love of his life, his Joy. Richard (Dick) was born August 1, 1927 in NYC New York, the third child of Warren Lowe and Esther Annie Phillips Banyon. Dick graduated from Morris High School in the Bronx in June 1944. While attending Morris, Dick was awarded many ribbons and medals for his performances in Track and Field.
After serving in the Army during WWII, Dick married Florence "Joy" Lewis, his childhood sweetheart on April 17, 1948 at St. Augustine's Church in New York. In 1954 they moved to CT and Dick began his 33 year career at Pfizer in Groton. In 1959 the couple along with their children moved to 1333 North Road, into the house he built for his family. Building the house was always one of his most cherished accomplishments. The house remains in the family.
His love for his wife and family were the only things that he loved more than he did his New York Yankees. He would often tell stories of his childhood and these stories always had at least one or two baseball adventures. He had seen everyone from Babe Ruth to Lou Gehrig, Mickey Mantle to Derek Jeter. Unfortunately he never made it to the new Yankee Stadium but I doubt that would have bothered him much, the 'greats' had walked on the old turf.
Dick and Joy loved to travel. They visited Mexico and Europe and so enjoyed going on cruises. After his retirement from Pfizer in 1987 he and his bride continued traveling. His favorite trip was the Cruise to Alaska. Rarely would you see him after that without his infamous Alaska hat. On August 16, 2004 he lost his Joy. He never fully recovered.
Besides his wife and parents, he was predeceased by his brother Warren L. Banyon Jr. and his sister Dorothy Banyon Cort. He leaves behind to honor his memory, his daughter Vicki Driscoll and his great granddaughter Deja Joy Driscoll-Smith; his second greatest love. He also leaves behind a son and three grandchildren.
The family will greet relatives and friends at The Groton Congregational Church on Tuesday from 9am-10am, immediately followed by a service. Burial with presentation of military honors will follow at Elm Grove Cemetery. Donations in his memory may be made to Fairview Patients Recreation Fund, 235 Lestertown Road, Groton CT 06340.
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