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Farmer dies a week after explosionCARLTON, Sep 06, 2011 (The Journal-Register - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- An Orleans County man known for his many talents died Wednesday evening after spending more than a week in the hospital for injuries sustained when a camper exploded in a carport that was attached to his home. Leroy D. (Roy) Bannister, 92, suffered severe burns in the Aug. 23 explosion and fire at 1173 Point Breeze Road (Route 98) in Carlton. He was transported by Mercy Flight to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, where he died. Family members recall Bannister as an outgoing individual. "As a young man, I used to say my dad was a master of all trades -- he said he mastered more than I probably know," said son Richard Bannister of his father. "I can remember as a little boy, he never had a music lesson, and he could play both the piano and the organ," Richard said. He said his father also played the guitar and even made a holder so he could play the harmonica and the guitar at the same time. Just last week, Bannister called his oldest grandson on his 40th birthday to serenade him with "Happy Birthday" on the harmonica, while his wife, Doris, sang along. This is something they did for all their kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids. Roy and Doris (Nesbitt) Bannister would have been married 71 years on Sept. 14. They have seven children: twins Richard and Robert Bannister, Janis Hempel, Maria Skinner, Leroy Bannister, Lynn Sue Pierce and Roger Bannister. They also have a total of 55 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Richard said that before the explosion, his father was in good health. "He walked, most days a mile," he said. The explosion and ensuing fire destroyed the house, and Richard said the building will have to be totally removed. Their mother is currently living with a daughter, and Roger, who lived next door to his father, now owns and runs the house farm. Roy Bannister, a graduate of Cornell University, joined the Navy as an officer and toured the Pacific Theater. He taught for two years at Royalton-Hartland, three to four years at Lyndonville and moved on to the Hilton Central School District in Monroe County where he retired in 1976. While at Hilton, he was the head of the science department. According to Richard, his father taught out of a text book he wrote because he felt it was better to teach physics before biology, which the other curriculum didn't allow. While teaching, Bannister was also on the Albion School Board, and served as president. "He was always going to summer school and night school, even though he had seven kids," said Richard. "He was an avid reader, ever since I was a kid. He read three to four books at a time." Bannister would also copy his favorite quotes from books to discuss with his family. Through all his endeavors, Bannister also farmed his land. He had 200 head of sheep and 30 brew cows (black angus) which he sometimes showed. "I've heard him say more than once that he had a farm to keep us kids off the streets," said Richard. After he retired from teaching, Bannister took a course in water color, where his artistic abilities shined. "I believe if he didn't have seven children he would have had a career in the arts," said Richard. Bannister sold more than 1,000 "home portraits" which people began requesting from him. He would take photographs of homes, then draw them and paint them in water colors. Bannister completed his last water color at the age of 92 as a favor for his primary care physician who came to visit him in the hospital. "He said my dad may be the last living Renaissance man," said Richard. Calling hours for Leroy Bannister will be 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Christopher Mitchell Funeral Homes, Inc., 21 West Ave., Albion. A memorial service will be 3 p.m. Saturday at the Albion Free Methodist Church at the corner of Platt and East State Street. ___ (c)2011 The Journal-Register (Medina, N.Y.) Visit The Journal-Register (Medina, N.Y.) at www.journal-register.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |