Melvin D. Banas

Melvin D. Banas, 81, of Clifton passed away peacefully on July 1st, 2024.           

Born in Latrobe, PA and raised in Wilpen, PA he graduated from Ligonier Valley High School and worked at the Rolling Rock Country Club. From Pennsylvania Mr. Banas came to New Jersey and settled in Clifton where he has resided since. Mr. Banas was also a graduate of Rutgers University. Prior to retirement, he had been employed with Pantasote Plastics, Singer Kearfott, and the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission of Newark for many years until his retirement.

Mel was a proud Veteran of the United States Air Force Reserves. Having served at Stewart Air Force Base, Newburg, NY. During this time period he performed an instrumental role on the flight line as an aircraft mechanic maintaining C-124 aircraft. During the Pueblo Crisis in 1968 he was activated and deployed to England.

Mr. Banas was a faithful parishioner of Ss. Peter & Paul RO Cathedral in Passaic. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting and fishing. He enjoyed time spent in Myrtle Beach, SC as well as the Jersey shore and he cherished many years at his beloved log cabin in Hemlock Farms, PA. His Pennsylvania roots led him to be a fiercely loyal Pittsburgh Steeler fan. He enjoyed vegetable gardening, especially growing his delicious tomatoes. He also loved to cook many delicious meals that were always enjoyed by family and friends. He will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure to know him and to love him.           

Mr. Banas was predeceased by his loved and missed parents: Thomas and Mary (nee Fedorko) Banas as well as by a dear infant brother, Arthur Banas.           

He is survived by his beloved Life Partner of forty-five years, Dorothy Robinson; two dear brothers, Eugene Banas and Richard Banas; six loved nieces and nephews: Darlene Banas, Colleen Mayo, Robert Banas, Thomas Banas, Steven Banas and Michael Banas and his wife, Cathie; and by his five cherished great-nieces and nephews: Taylor, Tyler, Emily, Matthew and Megan.           

Visiting will be Sunday from 3-7 pm at Bizub-Quinlan Funeral Home, 1313 Van Houten Avenue, Clifton. Funeral Monday 12:00 noon from the funeral home and 1:00 pm at Ss. Peter & Paul RO Cathedral, 200 Third Street, Passaic. Interment to follow at Ss. Peter & Paul RO Cemetery, Saddle Brook. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to either St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org), 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or the American Heart Association (www.heart.org), P.O. Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692 would be preferred and appreciated. Please visit www.bizubquinlan.com to leave online condolences to the family on the Tribute Wall of Mr. Banas’s obituary page.

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