Alfred C. Banks Sr.

Alfred Cochrane Banks Sr., 88, of Milton Mills, NH, died peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on October 23, 2023. He was born in Brooklyn, NY, on December 3, 1934, a son of Dr. Stanley D. Banks Sr. and Florence Josephine (Stokes) Banks. In his youth, his family moved to Brattleboro/Marlboro VT where he greatly enjoyed time on the family farm. On Feb. 20, 1960, Al married Loretta Marie Mellozzo. Together they later moved to Keene, NH, and in 1967 to Milton Mills, NH, where he raised their family and spent the remainder of his life.

Mr. Banks was an active member of his community and volunteered for a variety of organizations. He was a member of the Milton Historical Society, Milton Farm Museum, Milton Townhouse Restoration, Milton Cub Scouts (Troop 155), and local 4-H group. He was a Deacon at Acton-Milton Mills Baptist Church in Acton, ME, and later contributed greatly as a member of the congregation at Nute Ridge Bible Chapel, Milton, NH.

Al was an avid woodworker and enjoyed creating wood crafts in his shop. He also enjoyed dancing, skiing, snowmobiling, auto repairs, mowing his lawn, and working on his home. He had a great reverence for animals and had several pets.

He was a graduate of Brattleboro, VT, High School, Class of 1953, attended cadet school at Norwich University, Northfield, VT, and studied at Franklin Technical Institute in Boston, MA. He later attended Keene State College, graduating in 1965 with a Bachelor's Degree as a teacher of industrial arts, and went to work at Sanborn Seminary in Kingston, NH. In 1966, he took a job as an industrial arts teacher at Nute High School in Milton, NH, where he also taught driver's education. Mr. Banks retired from teaching in 1980 when he went to work at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, in Kittery, ME, as a machinist.

Al enlisted in the US Army in 1956 and was stationed as a missile battalion in Nyack, NY relocating to Orangeburg, NY. He later served in the army reserves, retiring from that position in 1994. He was honorably discharged in 1959, for a combined total of 23 years of service to his country.

Alfred was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Stanley Jr., and two sisters Elizabeth "Betty" (Banks) Gallup and Julia (Banks) Bryce. He is survived by Loretta, his wife of 63 years, a daughter Anne-Marie (Banks) Ballam and her husband Ed of Haverhill Corner, NH; a son Stanley D. Banks III and his wife Deborah of Milton Mills, NH, a son Alfred C. Banks Jr. and girlfriend Lenda, also of Milton Mills, NH. He is also survived by grandchildren, Shawnicee (Banks) Gatton, and her husband Greg of Alton, NH; Kyle Banks of Milton Mills, NH; Jonathan Ballam of Haverhill Corner, NH, Alicia Ballam of Woodsville, NH, Arianna (Banks) Mallock and her husband Joshua of Milton Mills, NH; and Anthony Banks of Milton Mills, NH; five great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, at Nute Ridge Bible Chapel, 99 Nutes Road, Milton, NH, 03851, immediately followed by interment at the family plot at Milton Mills Cemetery, Applebee Road, Milton Mills, NH 03852, A reception at the chapel will follow the interment. Contributions may be made in Al's memory to the Milton Historical Society, payable to Susan Marique, Treasurer, PO Box 735, Milton NH 03851.

To express condolences, please visit: www.peasleefuneralhome.com