Donald Leo Bank

Donald Leo Bank, 87, of Copley, Ohio was called to his heavenly home on August 3rd, 2024.

Don was born in the small coal mining town of Bear Run, Pennsylvania.  His father, John Bank was killed in a mining accident when Don was 6 years old.  Shortly after the mine cave-in, Don’s mother Susan and her four children moved to Warren, Ohio.

In the third grade when his teacher asked the class what they wanted to be when they grew up, Donald announced he wanted to be a priest. That desire never left him. He attended Mt. Saint Mary’s Seminary and was ordained with the Diocese of Youngstown on December 30th, 1962.

In 1965 Dr. Martin Luther King asked the ministers of the North to come down and march in Selma, Alabama. Donald and a fellow priest answered the call to, “Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” -Amos 5:24.

Later Don would join Maryknoll and serve as a missionary and journalist in El Salvador where St. Oscar Romero was his Archbishop.  El Salvador changed Don.  He said that he had never lived with people so poor yet so rich. He desired what they had.

Don returned to the States and served as director of Catholic Charities in Youngstown for 3 years.  He took a leave of absence and began a career as an investment banker with McDonald & Company Securities.  Donald met Paula McCreanor.  They were married December 16th 1977.

Don leaves behind Paula, his wife of 46 years; his children Vincent (Deborah) Bank, John Bank, Nathan (Rachael) Bank, Andy Bank, Mary (Brian) Taubman, and Patrick (Claire) Bank; 5 grandchildren; and his brother John Bank (Susan)

Please join us celebrating his life Thursday morning August 8th, 2024. Calling Hours will be held from 10-11 a.m. followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. all at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 1263 Shannon Ave., Norton. There will be a luncheon immediately following in the Parish Hall.

Don will forever be cherished by his family as a man who never took his eyes off the cross.  Grace and peace in abundance were the Lord’s gifts to him.  The legacy he leaves is his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ to all that are hungry.