Former Daventry solicitor Michael Banks has died at the age of 70.
Raised in South Wales and Herefordshire, Michael moved to Banbury in 1972, after graduating from Cambridge, to join the local office of law firm Shoosmith & Harrison.
Specialising in conveyancing, he had a loyal pool of business and individual clients.
After a stint as partner in charge of the firm’s Daventry office, he returned to Banbury and in 1995 set up Michael Banks & Company, which he ran from his home in Bodicote. He finally retired in October 2004 and moved to Adderbury.
Michael was always an enthusiastic supporter of good causes and had been a prominent and popular member of Banbury Cross Round Table, including serving as a regular commentator for the Easter Monday Pram Race.
He thrived on meeting new people, devoting much of his time to Banbury Rotary Club, and he was a familiar face shaking a collection tin in the club’s cause outside Sainsbury, come rain or shine.
He also gave his time as a driver for Banbury Volunteer Bureau and Katharine House Hospice.
Michael was a keen traveller with many friends around the world including Australia, the US and Canada.
In recent years he developed a particular fondness for South Africa and had spent a very happy holiday at the Cape Town home of close friends in October.
A much-loved husband, father and grandfather, Michael leaves a widow, Maureen, two children from his first marriage, two step-children and their families.
A Service of Thanksgiving for Michael’s life will be held at 11am on Friday, January 23 at Bodicote Church, Bodicote, near Banbury. All are welcome, with donations in lieu of flowers to Katharine House Hospice.