Jerome “Jerry” Kenneth Banks, 85, of Shelton, Connecticut, entered into rest on April 28, 2026, at Bridgeport Hospital. He was the beloved husband of Marybeth (Lang) Banks (Westport, CT.) with whom he shared 57 years of marriage. Jerry was born in Norwalk on August 3, 1940, the son of William and Therese (Amalfitano) Banks.
He spent most of his life in Shelton, a place that remained home in every sense of the word. As a boy, he was a natural leader—gathering neighborhood kids to form teams for two-hand touch football in the street or softball in the vacant lot beside Borden’s Dairy on Center Avenue. He carried that same steady presence into his school years as a member of the Norwalk High School marching band, proudly wearing the green, white, and gold uniform, with his bass drum harnessed to his chest, marching in Memorial Day parades.
Jerry had an appreciation for well-made things. He loved cars and took pride in keeping them in pristine condition—his first being a 1953 white Ford convertible with red leather interior. He went on to own a 1966 Corvette which was one of his most treasured possessions. Something he quietly took pride in was designing and building two homes over his lifetime, one in Shelton and the other in Georgetown, Kentucky, where he lived for 12 years before returning to Shelton 6 years ago to be with his children and grandchildren.
Rooted in his Italian and German heritage, Jerry carried himself with quiet strength and discipline. In the kitchen, you might find him creating a rustic Italian lasagna or baking apple pies for the summer church bake sale, always with care and attention.
Jerry began his career at the Norden Division of United Aircraft Corporation in Norwalk, Connecticut, and later worked for many years at Perkin-Elmer in Wilton, Connecticut, where he retired as a Senior Materials Administrator. Jerry enjoyed many years with his growing family, traveling, and sharing time together. For Betsy, her dad was there for dance recitals and plays; for Ken, it was fishing and baseball. He drove them countless times to go horseback riding in upstate New York and to visit the beaches of Cape Cod and Maine. Over the years, the family traveled together in many ways—cruising the western Mediterranean, taking a bus tour through the national parks from Wyoming to Arizona, an Alaskan cruise, and several trips to Kentucky before making their home there, along with visits to Washington, D.C., and New York City, all the while capturing as many moments by photos as only he could. Even before the children were born, Jerry and Marybeth traveled often, something they continued to share with their family.
Not only was he a loving, caring father to his children, but also to the many family pets over the years. Most recently was Abbey, their little terrier-mix pound puppy from Kentucky, one of multiple rescue animals who were a part of the family. He would carefully prepare meals for her in the same way as he would anyone and she loved to be massaged by his warm hands.
Family was at the center of Jerry’s life. He is survived by his children, Ken Banks and his wife Jess, and Betsy Banks and her fiancé Rich LoPresti. He was a proud grandfather to Bryson, Sage, and Willow Banks. He is also survived by his sisters, Maria Banks Jaramillo, Dorothy Studwell, and Beverly Wynne, along with many nieces and nephews. Jerry was predeceased by his brothers, Donald August Banks and John William Banks, Sr., and his sisters, Carole Banks Forlenzo, Gloria Banks Lamanna, and Barbara Banks Marra. Everyone knew him simply as Jerry—and that is how we will remember him.
The Riverview Funeral Home, 390 River Road, Shelton, has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements. Friends are invited to join the family for a Memorial Service at St. Paul’s Chapel, 25 Church St., Shelton, CT on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at 1pm. Refreshments to follow in the parish hall. By the request of his wife, in lieu of flowers, consider adopting a pet.