On the morning of Tuesday March 24 th , Carl Vincent Bannister went home to be with his loving Lord and Saviour. He was 93 years old.

Carl was born in Elgin, New Brunswick on December 9, 1932 to Elvin and Greta Bannister. He was the youngest of five children. It was here that he learned how to dismantle a bike, assemble it again, ski, skate and enjoy the country life. Later his family moved to Petitcodiac, New Brunswick where he attended Petitcodiac Regional High School and was introduced to a young girl that would become his wife, Wanda Northrup. They would have celebrated 67 years married when she passed away on September 25, 2023.

Carl followed some of his siblings to Toronto, Ontario to find work as an electrician. After being in Toronto for a couple of years, Wanda soon followed and they were married on October 6, 1956. They built a life in Toronto and lived in the same house for almost 58 years until they moved in with their son, Colin, and his family in 2020. They also attended Long Branch Baptist Church throughout this time. It was here that they served the Lord together. Carl held many positions in his church family including, deacon, elder, encouragement group leader, worship leader and builder. In 2000 he helped many of the men in the church build an extension on to the church. He also helped build many other projects with the Baptist Builders. Working with his hands was his passion. Singing and worshipping the Lord was also a passion. He taught himself how to play the guitar and had an ear for music. For 26 years he sang with the Melodaires Quintet travelling around southern Ontario singing and praising the Lord. They also produced 4 records during their time together.

When the Melodaires came to an end, Carl continued to use his talents in the church leading worship and playing his guitar.

Although he never wanted to work in an office Carl worked at Confederation Life Insurance for 38 years. One of his early positions was to operate the first computer in Canada. Later he became a Purchasing Agent for the company and was thankful for the way that the Lord provided for his family through this position.

During his retirement years, he continued to fix what needed fixing, helped to care for his grandchildren and worshipped the Lord together with his church family. Carl loved the Lord and although he will be missed we are praising the Lord that he is no longer suffering and that his journey here on this earth has come to an end. This is now the beginning of eternity for him and we praise the Lord for this truth. His faith has now become sight.

Carl is survived by his daughter, Shona (John) Wright, son, Colin (Libby) Bannister, grandchildren Cailie (Immanual) Archer, Nathan Wright, Luke (Marie) Wright, and Conor Bannister. He was even blessed with a great grandson, Isajah who he delighted in.

Visitation will be held at Long Branch Baptist Church, 3381 Lake Shore Blvd. West in Etobicoke, on Saturday April 11th at 10:00 a.m. followed by a Celebration of Life at 11:00 a.m.