Obituary of Allan Walter Bank

October 2, 1936 - Glenavon, Saskatchewan

August 19, 2024 - Calgary, Alberta

Al Bank of Calgary, AB, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 19, 2024, at the age of 87 years.

Al grew up in the small town of Glenavon, SK, a farming community. When he was fifteen, he left to make his way in the world. He headed for Calgary and did various jobs along the way. When he got to Calgary, one of the jobs he had was a taxi driver; a good way to get to know the city.

He met Ethel at a dance and they were married on August 22, 1959. They were together for 65 years. They had their daughter Carol in 1962 and their son Jeffrey in 1963.

Al studied to become a welder and in the early '70s, he outfitted a truck and started his own company, Al's Portable Welding. Not long after that, he started what would become a lifelong hobby, restoring antique cars. He restored several cars for himself and a number of other vehicles for other people. His very first car was a 1932 Studebaker. He liked telling that when he found what was left of it, there was a tree growing right in the middle of it. It must have been sitting there for years. He joined the Alberta Pioneer Auto Club and was a member for 50 years. He made lots of friends and met many people through the club, all the club activities, and through his never-ending search for car parts all over Canada and the US.

Al was definitely a people person. No matter where he went, he would strike up a conversation with someone; people through the car club, people at the square dancing club they were part of, at the gas station, or a stranger passing by the house. He also spent many happy hours in his garage, visiting with friends and neighbours who would stop by. Sometimes we thought he spent more time in the garage than he did in the house. He was always busy with something. His favourite activity was going to swap meets. He loved them! Buying, selling, swapping, and talking to people.

Al and Ethel also went on many trips: Alaska, Tahiti, Jamaica, New Orleans, Costa Rica, Guatemala, the Virgin Islands, and Hawaii. Their favourite spot was Las Vegas, where they went numerous times.

Al was predeceased by his wife Ethel in March of this year. He is survived by his daughter Carol Delisle, son Jeffrey Bank, grandsons, Jason and Colin Delisle; and his favourite nephew Wayne Ell, all of Calgary. Wayne and his wife Darcy spent countless hours visiting Al, taking him out for walks or out for a meal during his last years. They brought him sunshine and smiles and made a tremendous difference in his life. We are forever grateful.

A Private Service will be held for Al, and he will be laid to rest at Prairie Sky Cemetery (12350 84th Street SE, Calgary, AB).

If so desired, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, Calgary and Area Chapter, 150, 110 Quarry Park Blvd SE, Calgary, AB T2C 3G3 Telephone: (403)250-7090, www.mssociety.ca.

Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Al, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by Mcinnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, AB T2X 3J3, Telephone: (403)256-9575.