Roy Herbert Bannister

Roy Herbert Bannister was born in Stratford, Ontario Canada August 28, 1919. He died November 13, 2000 Laguna Beach, California at the age of 81.

He is survived by his first wife Dorothy and sons, Howard and Larry Bannister. Other survivors are his second wife, Mary Vasquez; their children - Christy, Kim and Morgan. Additional survivors are grandchildren: Eli Gieseman, Mitzy Parker, Cory Clark, Major Clark and Max Meyer; great grand children, Ashley, Tyler, Bryce and soon to be born.

Roy Bannister came from a family of 4 brothers and 2 sisters. His sister June Chandler and brothers Bobby and Leonard are still living.

As a youth Roy loved to ice skate and play ice hockey. He became famous in his locale in Canada as a champion speed skater and was well know. On return trips to his boyhood home, people remembered him most for his ice skating skills. Roy also excelled as a dancer and was a favored partner by the opposite sex.

As a young entrant into the workforce he worked on the railroad as this was also the work of his father in Canada. He became familiar with the workings of the steam engine which helped greatly in his Naval career.

When War broke out in Europe in 1939, Roy went in the Canadian Army for training and service in Europe. At the end of four months, stationed in Halifax, Nova Scotia- he met up with a close boy-hood friend, Boby Byatt, who convinced him that he had the connections to get him out of the Army and into the Royal Canadian Navy. His old Army unit, trained as comandos, fought in the Battle of Dieppe in WWII with heavy loss of life. It saved his life as very few of his Army buddies returned to Canada alive. Bob Byatt was a close friend to Roy for the past 76 years.

Roy served faithfully in the Navy for seven years and rose in rank to a Chief Petty Officer. He was a Boilermaker on the ships on which he served and the vessels were responsible for escorting cargo and troop ships from Canada to England and return. The destroyer type ships had many encounters with German U-Boats and were in constant danger of being sunk by enemy torpedoes.

Following the war, Roy and his brother Stan joined together in business and operated a skating rink, a night-club called the Blue Room and a fish stand in Grand Bend, Canada. Things went well with Roy until his young daughter Carol became sick and the Doctors recommended that she live in a dryer climate. Roy and his family made a move to the San Fernando Valley area in California where he joined again with his brother Stan, who had made a move previously, and they operated a roller skating rink. On the move from Canada to California in the 1950s Roy and family camped out the entire journey.

During the 1960s Roy, his brother Stan and Bob Eubanks (official announcer for Rose Parade) entered into a unique nightclub business called Cinamon Cinder. These clubs were much like our modern day chain franchises and were located in various places like North Hollywood, Long Beach and San Diego. They were non-alcoholic and entertainers like Tina Turner, Beach Boys and the Doors were the entertainment attractions. One memorable time the Beattles held a Press Conference at a table in his club. Following the Conference, Roy gathered up the table cloth and used it to advantage. He cut it up into 12 inch squares and offered it as prizes for the various contests staged a the Clubs. Always looking for new opportunities and following the Cinamon Cinder event, Roy opened a restaurant on North Figueroa in Los Angeles with his brother Stan. About this time in Los Angeles he met Mary. His first marriage had faded and he left Southern California with Mary, Christy and Kim to take over a bankrupt Cambria Lodge north of San Luis Obispo in the early 1970s. Morgan was born in San Luis Obispo.

The Bannisters family arrived in San Clemente about 1975. They lived at and managed to the Beach-comber Motel. Roy soon had two successful businesses going, one in Santa Ana at 17th and Flower where he sold fresh produce. He also operated a service station in San Clemente on El Camino Real. Although the businesses prospered, his involvement with business partners eventually caused them to fail. All wasn’t lost as Mary and Roy and their young family had made the acquiantance of George and Fran Hansen who introduced them to Mormon Missionaries and they became members of the Latter Day Saint faith. Mary and Roy were immersed into activity and in a few short years, Mary was called to be the Ward Relief Society President. Everyone, including family, were very proud of her as she served so faithfully.

Roy had a great mind for introducing into his businesses unique and interesting events and advertisements that attracted customers. He knew how to market his business product. He was a pleasant and engaging man and was well liked and he had a good work ethic.

His businesses in Santa Ana and San Clemente failed because other associates unfairly and dishonestly took advantage of his trust in them. With responsibilities to as till young, growing family, it seemed as though, like falling dominoes, things were crashing down around him.

Roy found himself a single parent with the responsibility of caring for his young children. Without complaint he provided them a loving home atmosphere and started picking up the pieces and putting back together broken dreams. Work was not always steady for him and there were grim times, but somehow he survived and faithfully pursued a course that eventually returned fortune to his life again.

Roy was a true optimist. He was also a forgiving person and refused to cast blame on others for his misfortunes. He just got by – day by day—doing the best he knew and thinking of better days ahead. And better days did come to him. While and employee of Merrill Paints in San Clemente, he won a State Lottery. The reaction of his friends and associates were- “It could not have happened to a nicer or more deserving person”. This enabled Roy to share with his children some more deserved amenities that wer denied earlier in their lives.

There are not many men of his cut. Though deeply disappointed with the results of a marriage that had gone amiss, he nevertheless held no rancor or resentment to those involved. Just the opposite, he kept the door open and remained friends. He did what he knew was best for the children, sparing them from the bitterness that often comes with parental separations.

But Roy was the this kind of person with most everything he did and especially when it came to personal feelings. He rejected contention and replaced it with peace and understanding.

Roy loved his children and grandchildren. They were his treasures in life. He was never pretentious, preferring to live simply and enjoying natures beauty. After his first illness left him disabled, his son Larry or others would accompany him in his motorized chair to the San Clemente Pier, where he could enjoy the pure ocean air and hear the voices and enjoy the activities that took place. This was also his rehab gym. He was determined to walk again and would rise from his motorized chair and slowly step by step, holding fast to the pier rail would propel himself slowly until tiring. He just wouldn’t give up- it was not in him. Often Roy would have his lunch at Captain Culvers on Del Mar. They made his welcome and prepared food especially for him, assisting him back to better health.

His children responded to his needs following his stroke three years ago. They were constant with their attentions to him and provided every comfort possible. They took him out on excursions; made sure every comfort possible was available. They spent long anxious hours in hospital waiting rooms and at the bedside to be close as possible. They loved him dearly. Rarely have I observed such loyal devotion.

Roy is in better place now, free from physical limitations. He left us a legacy and an example of our need to see the very best in others. This would be a different world if we would see our relationships with others as Roy did. He kept the communication lines open and never severed the bonds that at one time were both sacred and important. Those present here today are living testimony to this fact. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

AMEN.