Howard Linwood Banks Jr

July 26, 1933 - January 20, 2021

Howard Linwood Banks, Jr., affectionately called Brother and Hop, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on July 26, 1933 to Howard Linwood Banks, Sr. and the former Irene Brown. He was called from labor to reward on Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at the age of 87. Although Hop was not affiliated with any brick-and-mortar church, he deeply believed in God. When asked how he was doing, he consistently replied, “God is good, and I thank Him.” He played a hole in more than one of Sam Cooke’s gospel CD’s. After the passing of his mother, Hop relocated to Trenton, NJ to live with his mother’s sister, Annie Lomen, and her family. In his adult years he resided with the Murray family whom he considered family. Hop was educated in the Trenton Public School system and employed by Stokes Molded Products for many years. When Stokes closed their Trenton factory, he went to work for Hill Refrigeration until they closed. For several years, he also worked part-time for F & F Garage. According to a lifelong friend, his nickname “Hop,” stood for “Helping Other People.” He earned his nickname by repairing and giving away children’s bikes, sharing the produce from his garden, cutting the grass of several neighbors, repairing cars, transporting people to work and to the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen and freely offering financial assistance to those in need. In July of 2,000 the City of Trenton recognized Howard for his outstanding dedication to the Euclid Avenue Neighborhood Watch. Hop truly lived life to the fullest. He enjoyed bringing the entire family together for breakfast featuring his famous home fries or to celebrate a special occasion at his favorite 5-star restaurant, the Old Country Buffet. During family gatherings Hop often brought us to tears with his flawless imitation of his father’s humor and passionate love for his grandchildren. His whimsical laughter and loud trash talking could be heard throughout the house as he slammed cards down during a game of Pinochle or Bid Whist. Hop was also a faithful sports fan. He particularly enjoyed professional baseball, basketball and football. In his excitement, or maybe frustration, regarding a referee’s call in a football game, Hop started screaming at the television, pounding his fists and kicking his feet until he broke his toe. As treasurer of the Road Runners Club, he helped coordinate several trips to New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies and Harlem Globetrotters games. After retiring, Hop fell in love with deep sea fishing. He and his fishing buddies regularly drove to Massachusetts returning with hundreds of sea bass, ling, and porgies, which he cleaned to perfection in the driveway, stocked his own freezer and still shared with family and friends. Occasionally, Hop included a grandson or two on his fishing trip. One grandson enjoyed fishing and the fellowship so much that he immediately taught his brothers and later his wife how to catch and clean fish. When Hop could no longer fish, he enjoyed sitting at his kitchen table, marveling at God’s goodness, exclaiming daily that God gave him more than he needed. Every day he played solitaire while listening to gospel music or watching Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. While Hop thoroughly enjoyed a good time, he was a committed husband and father. Wanting his children to have greater opportunities than he had, Hop faithfully worked a part-time job in addition to his full-time job to provide a comfortable home life, family vacations and the best education that his money could buy. He was a very proud father, grandfather and great-grandfather who modeled a strong work ethic and stressed the importance of education. Hop loved his children, but he adored his wife of 66 years whom he affectionately called Toot. When she was no longer able, Hop did the grocery shopping, banking, errands, cooking and household repairs. He took particular pride in purchasing eloquent greeting cards for her that every visitor was required to read aloud. Every family member and every staff person of the Hamilton Grove Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center knew that Hop’s sole desire was to return home so that he could take care of his wife. Howard was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters: Elsie James and Gloria Gary, and his brother, Clarence West. He leaves to cherish his memory and to continue his legacy his wife, Ellen; daughters: Cynthia Whitfield of Maryland, Gloria (Alexander) Bethea and Beverly Lucas of Maryland; 12 grandchildren: Isaac, Aaron, Rebecca, Naaman, Hannah, Jaaziah, Canaan, Raamiah and Maaziah Bethea, and Anthony (Joshlyn), Ryan and Brandon Lucas; four great-grandchildren: Simon, Naomi, Eli and Micah Bethea; only surviving sister, Virginia Banks; sisters-in-law: Annie (Joseph) DaCosta and Sarah Stevens; brothers-in-law: Eugene (Ansonia) Stevens, Ronald Stevens and James Washington, and a host of other relatives and friends. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, www.trentonsoupkitchen.org, 609.695.5456 *********************************************************************** Livestream of The Funeral via Zoom *********************************************************************** Topic: Funeral of Howard Linwood Banks, Jr. Time: Feb 3, 2021 11:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82056634320?pwd=RUtXaml0QytaNU1HTFNFYWQ2NXYrZz09 Meeting ID: 820 5663 4320 Passcode: 592639 One tap mobile +13017158592,,82056634320#,,,,*592639# US (Washington DC) +13126266799,,82056634320#,,,,*592639# US (Chicago) Dial by your location +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 929 205 6099 US (New York) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) Meeting ID: 820 5663 4320 Passcode: 592639 Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdkiCIEsM