Mr. Carl A. Banks, a 72-year resident of Melrose, passed away in his 103rd year, on Saturday morning, September 24, 2011 at Bear Hill Nursing Care Center.

Carl was born in Shag Harbor, Nova Scotia on May 16, 1909, the oldest of twelve children of the late Henry W. Banks and Charlotte (Stoddard) Banks. He was raised in Doctor's Cove, Nova Scotia and schooled in a one room schoolhouse before immigrating to the United States at the young age of 15.

Mr. Banks started his working career at General Electric in Lynn and later moved to the Swift Meat Packing Co. in Somerville where he worked for 25 years. He was a longtime member of the Wakefield Retired Men's Club.

An outdoorsman, Carl loved hunting, fishing, trapping and gardening. He was a devoted Red Sox fan but first and foremost, was an avid reader.

Carl was the beloved husband of the late Mildred I. (MacLaren) Banks with whom he shared 62 years of marriage. Devoted father of Rosalie M. Clancy and her husband the late Daniel of Staten Island, NY, Nancy J. Paino and her husband Robert of Carver, Christine B. Redford and her husband William of Reading, the late Linda M. Maxwell and her late husband Paul, and the late Gail Banks. Dear brother of Pauline Erven of Victoria, BC, and the late Henry Banks, Floyd Banks, Clara Stoddard, Earl Banks, Florence McKinnon, Kathleen Crowell, Preston Banks, Barbara Farewell, Ada Banks, and George Banks. Cherished grandfather of Daniel Clancy, Timothy Clancy, Mary Paino, Susan Paino, Karen Rix, Patricia Johnston, Meredith Seifert, and Gordon Redford. Loving great-grandfather of Daniel, Nathaniel, Evan, Elizabeth, Maggie, Drew, Katherine, Kristine, Skyler, Elliot, and Cecilia. Also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to honor and remember Carl's life at his Funeral Service at the Forest Dale Community Church, 235 Forest St., Malden on Tuesday, September 27 at 12 noon. Interment will be in Wyoming Cemetery, Melrose. Gifts in his memory may be made to Hallmark Health Hospice, 178 Savin St., Malden, MA 02148, or to the Forest Dale Community Church, 235 Forest St., Malden, MA 02148.