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Bernard Banas

HADLEY - Bernard John Banas, 77, of 131 Middle St. in Hadley, passed away on Friday evening at his home surrounded by his family.

Bernie was born in Hadley on June 16, 1934, the son of the late Blazej and Agnes (Kostek) Banas and was a lifelong resident of Hadley; he was educated in local schools and graduated from Hopkins Academy.

He attended the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and also served with the U.S. Army in the 1950s.

Bernie worked in the offset printing field throughout his life. He started his career working for John Stark Laboratories in South Hadley. He then moved on to work for Advance Offset Plate Inc. and then Cookson Graphics in Holyoke, where he was a plant manager. He finished his career working for Precision Lithograining Inc. prior to retiring in the early 2000s.

Bernie was a devoted communicant of Most Holy Redeemer Church in Hadley. An avid Red Sox fan, he also enjoyed golfing, bowling and the occasional trip to the racetrack.

He leaves his beloved wife of 53 years, Teresa (Reardon) Banas; and his children, Patrick Banas and his wife Leslie of Chichester, N.H.; Ann and David Long of Tewksbury; Bernard Jr. and his wife Shelley Banas of Cooperstown, N.Y.; and Eileen and John Cooper of Belchertown. He also leaves behind six grandchildren, seven step-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Bernie was the last of six siblings. Celia Bak and Nellie, Mary, John and Stanley Banas all predeceased him.

Calling hours at the Czelusniak Funeral home of Northampton will be held on Tuesday afternoon from 4 to 7 p.m.

Funeral services will be Wednesday morning from the Funeral Home at 9 a.m., with a Liturgy of Christian burial at 10 a.m. in Most Holy Redeemer Church in Hadley. Burial will follow in Holy Rosary Cemetery.

Donations in Bernie's memory may be made to Baystate Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice, 50 Maple St., P.O. Box 9058, Springfield, 01102-9058.