On December 6th, 1976, Donald "Donnie" Banning, aged 38, came into this world, premature, but hungry for life. He is a life long resident of Thunder bay. He passed on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015. He faced many adversities in life, losing his eldest brother Stephan in 1990, his father in 2008, and his other brother Leonard in 2012.
He worked various construction jobs around the city, and he had a real passion for iron work like his father. It was his dream to follow in his footsteps. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and being one with the outdoors.
Donnie loved his children very much, they were his everything. In his life, nothing meant more to him than his children, there wasn't a conversation had by him where he didn't express his love and pride for them.
Donnie had a great passion for many things, his culture being one of them. He was a proud Anishnawbe man, and made sure everyone knew it. He could light up a room with his smile, and it was impossible not to laugh at his jokes. He was such a genuine, selfless, simple man, and would give you the shirt off of his back if you needed it. It is with great sadness that he can no longer grace us with his beautiful spirit, but the Creator called him home.
He will be dearly missed by Amber Kathleen, Joseph James and Danika Lee mother Karin, his one love Leeann, siblings, Melissa and Jason (Cora), nephews and nieces Ryan, Bradley, Layne, Andrew, Tyra, Jordan, and godson Tyler, his grandmother Evelyn Banning and many aunts, uncles and other relatives. He was predeceased by his father Stephen, two brothers Stephan and Leonard, grandfathers Frank Banning and Knute (Slim) Soderberg and grandmother Bonnie Soderberg.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 14, 2015, when family and friends will gather for Funeral Mass at 11:00am, at St. Patrick's Cathedral celebrated by Rev. Msgr. P.M. Stilla V.G. Interment will follow in Immaculate Conception Cemetery, on the Fort William First Nation. Prayers will be offered August 13, 2015 at 7:00pm in the Blake Funeral Chapel.
Donald Banning will be remembered in the Blake Funeral Chapel Memorial Grove. Annual dedication service Sunday, June 12, 2016.
