Obituary of Robert Banks

Robert L. Banks, 85 of Boonton passed away on June 28, 2016. A Homegoing Service will be held at the Mount Zion Baptist Church, 4 Church Road Boonton on Wednesday at 10 AM. Interment will follow at Heavenly Rest Memorial Park. Visitation will be at the Codey & Mackey Funeral Home, 107 Essex Ave. Boonton on Tuesday from 6-8 PM. Born in Boonton, Robert was a longtime resident. He attended high school at the Bordentown School before going to Shaw University on a football scholarship. He left college to join the Air Force as a military police officer, proudly serving during the Korean War. After being discharged from the Air Force, Robert joined the Boonton Police Department in 1957, rising to the rank of Chief of Police in 1991. Mr. Banks was the first African-American Police Chief in Morris County. A Member of the National Association of Black Law Enforcement, he also served as the Commissioner of the Boonton Housing Authority. In his free time, Mr. Banks enjoyed golfing, walking and bicycling. Robert was the loving father of Mark E. Banks and his wife LeAnne, Traci G. Parham and her husband William, Cynthia E. Francis and her husband Tony, Erika (Bobbi) L. Myrthil, Roland B. Banks and his wife Marisa and Greg Braxton. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren; and was predeceased by his sister Osie Banks. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bethel A.M.E. Church 140 Plane St. Boonton in his memory.