John (Jay) G. C. Banks died peacefully on Dec. 16, 2018, of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis at his home in Westwood. He was 77.

John was born on Jan. 21, 1941 in Mt. Kisco, N.Y., and raised in Redding, Weston and Lyme, Conn. He was the son of the late Charles G. Banks and the late Martha S. Banks. John graduated from The Hotchkiss School, in Lakeville, Conn. in 1959. He began his college career at Brown University in 1959 and received his bachelor’s degree from Columbia University in 1967.

In the interim, he served his country in the United States Marine Corps Reserve, initiating one of his favorite lifelong affiliations. He achieved a treasured meritorious promotion to private first class upon his graduation from boot camp at Parris Island, S.C., and was a sergeant at the time of his discharge in 1967.

John was working in New York city at Bankers Trust when he met Julie Spencer on a blind date. They married a year later in 1965 in Julie’s hometown of Syracuse, N.Y. After two years in the city, they moved to Mansfield where he worked as a reporter and photographer for the Mansfield News. In 1968, he became a television reporter for the NBC affiliate in Syracuse and later became their anchor for the 6 p.m. news, a job he loved. John left the news business in 1982 and began his 25-year career as a stockbroker with Tucker, Anthony & R.L. Day which survives today as part of RBC Wealth Management.

In 2007, he and Julie retired to their home on Martha’s Vineyard and spent 11 delightful years as year-round residents. In 2018, they moved to Fox Hill Village in Westwood to be closer to family and Boston.

John loved the outdoors, especially the Adirondacks and Martha’s Vineyard. He loved canoeing, mowing lawns and cutting trees. He especially loved fishing for trout and ocean game with his wife, children, grandchildren or whoever would go with him. He was a voracious reader and did the New York Times crossword puzzle daily. Singing was his passion, which began as a child in the church choir. He continued to sing in the choir, glee club and octet during his three years at The Hotchkiss School. John then joined the Jabberwocks a cappella group at Brown University.

He sang in the choir at the Federated Church in Edgartown and the Island Community Chorus, which were great sources of enjoyment and friendship for him. He was a volunteer driver for Vineyard Village at Home and also served as president of the First & Third Luncheon Club, an affiliation that brought him great pleasure. He served as a Deacon of the Federated Church and was also a member of the Martha’s Vineyard Rod & Gun Club. His sense of humor, penchant for bowties and wonderful bass voice will be missed by many.

In addition to his wife of 53 years, he is survived by his son John of Pittsford, N.Y., daughter Julia Hauck of Westwood, and five grandchildren; brother Charles G. Banks, Jr. of Carlisle, Pa.; and sister Sandra Tucker of Pittsburgh, Pa.

A celebration of his life will be held on April 13 at 11 a.m. at the Federated Church in Edgartown. Donations in his memory can be made to Vineyard Village at Home, P.O. Box 1356, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568 or Island Community Chorus Endowment Fund, P.O. Box 4157, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568.