Daniel J. Bannish

WESTFIELD—Daniel J. Bannish, 85, died on Sunday, August 28, 2011 at home. He was the youngest of 16 children born to Michael and Mary (Korcaba) Bannish on July 23, 1926. A lifelong Westfield resident Daniel is a US Army veteran having served in WWII in the Pacific. He was a custodian for the Longmeadow and Westfield Public Schools following a 14 year career at Kaman Aircraft. He leaves his loving wife of 60 years, Irene (Lignar) Bannish, with whom he shares the same birthday; sons: Daniel Bannish and his wife, Jayne of Longmeadow, MA and Anthony Bannish and his wife, Ursula of Westfield, MA; daughter: Kathleen Walter and her husband, Paul of Butte, MT; brother: Frank of Southwick; sisters: Nellie of Agawam, and Jean of Williamstown; grandchildren: Matthew and Gregory Walter, Monica, Jennifer, Daniel Alexander, Joshua and Shenna Bannish and Megan Walter Johnsrud; sisters-in-law: Helen Lignar, Frances and Richard Niemiec; brothers-in-law John and Nancy Lignar as well as a multitude of nieces and nephews, to whom he was affectionately known as Uncle Bob and many other family members. He is predeceased by his parents and 12 siblings. Daniel enjoyed Polka dancing with his wife among the company of friends at the dances. Raised on a farm Dan always maintained a family garden. He was particularly interested in flowers, and for years had a business raising gladiolas. He further enjoyed bird watching and feeding the families of crows that found respite on his property. An avid reader of historical fiction and nonfiction, Dan was a wealth of information from reading and personal experience that he shared and discussed with family. Most enjoyed were family games of Hearts. He played football in high school and kept an interest in watching the Patriots and Red Sox. A funeral mass will be held on September 2, 2011at 10 AM at Holy Trinity Church, Westfield, MA with burial at 3:00 PM with full military honors at Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery in Agawam, MA. Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Trinity Church, 335 Elm St., Westfield, MA 01085; Mercy Home Care, 1236 Main St., # 103, Holyoke, MA 01040 or Mercy Hospice 1236 Main St., Holyoke, MA 01040. New England Funeral & Cremation Center, LLC 25 Mill St., Springfield, MA 01108 has been entrusted with the arrangements. For expressions of sympathy visit www.nefcc.net