BANKS, Garnet Robert - It is with sadness we announce the passing of Garnet Robert Banks on November 4, 2013. He will be missed by those who loved him beyond what we can express. Garnet was the beloved husband of 60 years to Kathleen (Kay) and the cherished father of sons Dan (Diana), Baddeck; Tom (Lorna), Aylesford; Garnet (Anita), Port Maitland; daughter, Catherine, Sambro and special daughter Patti, Barrington. He was an inspiring grandfather to Denise (Wayne), Donna (Arlen), Rose (Bill), Anthony, Rilla and Simon and seven great-grandchildren. Garnet was predeceased by his father, Raymond Banks, mother, Velma (Bent) Banks, a brother, Douglas, and a sister, Patricia. He is lovingly remembered by his sisters, Adah, Shirley, Irene, Geraldine, brothers, Percy and LeRoy and many nieces and nephews. He will also be greatly missed by his extensive bluegrass and fiddling family but we know he is already tuning up with his many "pickin" friends who have been waiting for him to take his place among them. During his thirty years service to Maritime Tel and Tel, he and Kay were Square Dance teachers to two clubs, The Bluenose Twirlers (Yarmouth) and Les Danseurs Acadians (Clare). For many of those years they organized a dance exchange with their very good friends, Hillie and Elizabeth Bailey, between Yarmouth and Bar Harbour, Maine. In Part A of their retirement Garnet and Kay owned and operated Strawberry Hill Farm in Smith's Cove, Digby. It was during this time that Garnet and a few close musician friends formed two popular bluegrass bands, The Bluegrass Mountaineers and Maple Ridge. Part B of their retirement, from the farm business, saw them move back to their much-loved Annapolis Valley and the view of the south mountain from their home in, yes, Paradise. One of his greatest joys here was recording two CDs with Three Old Friends with his great friends Bob and Eileen. Garnet's gift for playing music began at thirteen and grew into a great passion, which he delighted in sharing with others be they fellow musicians ,seniors in extended care homes, or young people learning to play their first chords. A community-minded man he was always there to MC a benefit, deliver Meals on Wheels, entertain in hospitals, play for Christmas Daddies (25 years), and provide music for his church. Both he and Kay were given the Canada 125 Medal in 1992, awarded to Canadians who were deemed to have made a significant contribution to their fellow citizens, and to their community. Garnet and Kay had a close and loving relationship, which also included a standup bass. Kay often laughing stated that she had to take the back seat to the bass. Garnet played many instruments but his special gift, for which he was widely known, was his talent for playing the standup bass. He was a sought after musician but he truly enjoyed sharing his gift equally and he gave as much care and attention to the nervous beginner as the seasoned musician. Over time the man, Garnet and his standup bass became one, on stage and in life. Upright, beautifully seasoned thrumming out the steady beats of those things that characterized his life, passion, curiosity, commitment, and responsibility into our lives as we went to him for advice, encouragement and understanding. He never once failed us as his bass never failed to support the music around it. Garnet's life, through all that he shared with us, will continue on in those times when we stop to appreciate all that we have and to share what we have with others be it music or other blessings. The family expresses deep gratitude to all his musical friends who came in to play and sing to Garnet during some very difficult times in the last months. Visitation will be held 7-9PM Wednesday, November 6, 2013 in the Middleton Funeral Home, 398 Main St., (902) 825-3448. Funeral service will be held 2:00PM Thursday, November 7, 2013 in the Emmanuel Congregational Christian Church, Middleton with Rev. Dr. Bill MacDougall officiating. A reception for family and friends will follow the service. Interment will be in the Fairview Cemetery, Lawrencetown. In lieu of flowers and in keeping with the spirit of Garnet's life we ask that donations be made to the Middleton High School Band - Parent Association or the Emmanuel Congregational Christian Church, Middleton. On-line guest book may be signed by visiting: www.middletonfuneralhome.com