Richard G. "Rick" Banker

Richard G. "Rick" Banker, 52, of Newfield, NY, passed away Saturday, April 09, 2016 at the Cayuga Medical Center after an extended illness.

Rick was a Park Manager with the Finger Lakes Region of the New York State Office of Parks & Recreation. His career with the Parks Dept. lasted 35 years. Rick earned a degree from SUNY Alfred and continued his education at Syracuse University in Environmental Biology.
Rick is survived by his mother, Nina Riihinen Banker; his father Richard S. (Marilyn) Banker and his sisters Lorri Banker and Keeli Mangle. He is also survived by his maternal grandmother, Dorothy Riihinen and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Rick's life was filled with a variety of interests and passions. Starting in high school as a pitcher and first baseman for the Newfield Central School varsity baseball team, Rick developed a great love of sports. He continued after high school by playing in the Ithaca Softball Association, coaching high school baseball back at Newfield, and managing and participating in several fantasy football leagues. During football season, while rooting for the Vikings, and during baseball season, while cheering on the Red Sox, he kept immaculate statistics on the professional athletes and the games purely for his own curiosity.

Rick held a great desire to learn, especially in the areas of history and science. Particularly interested in the Civil War, he traveled to famous battlefields throughout the eastern US and continually read books to learn as much as possible about the subject.
Cooking was another of Rick's passions which luckily he shared with family and friends during holidays and celebrations. Everyone enjoyed eating his savory creations, especially Rick himself.
Music and movies were a big part of Rick's life as well. He was always searching for new sounds in music while staying true to his favorites.

One of Rick's greatest talents of creating laughter and making light of any situation came from his own love of comedy, from the Three Stooges to the comedians of today. He always had a quick joke or witty comeback that you couldn't resist laughing about.
Rick's other talents included his generosity and his compassion for making others know they were cared about. Rick possessed a very big heart and wasn't afraid to show it to the world.

A celebration of Rick's life will be held on Saturday, April 16, 2016 from noon until 3 pm in the North Shelter at Lower Robert H. Treman State Park in Ithaca, NY. In lieu of flowers, donations in Rick's memory may be made to the Friends of Robert H. Treman State Park (tremanparkfriends.org) or to the charity of your choice. Bangs Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Saturday, April 16, 2016 12:00 PM

Robert H. Treman State Park 105 Enfield Falls Rd. Ithaca, NY 14850