John Banville Jr

John Klasen Banville Jr. of Sanford, N.C, was born on October 23, 1944, in Mt. Lebanon, Pa., and died under hospice care at the UNC hospital in Chapel Hill on Feb. 4, 2026. He was 81.

John and his wife, Patricia (Higgins) Banville, moved to North Carolina from Fredericksburg, Va., in 2005 and also lived in Lancaster, Pa; Rockwall, Texas; Bay Village, Ohio; and San Francisco, California.

John graduated from Staunton Military Academy in 1963. He and Patricia met at Parsons College in Fairfield, Iowa, and John had a long and varied career that included regional sales manager for the medical supply company Invacare and managing sales operations and lumber broker for the hardwood floor company, Derr Flooring. His work took him and his family to many parts of the country.

John and Pat raised four boys – John, Lee, Matthew and Patrick – and shared many memories with them over the years, as well as more than a few inside jokes, whether it was his uncanny impression of the dog talking or his unwillingness to let go of a passed dinner plate. They were almost always still funny when re-lived over and over again. John had a great sense of humor. If he teased you, you knew he liked you. The person he liked best and teased most often was his wife. John and ‘Hig’ had a long and happy marriage of 58 years.

In his retirement, John enjoyed tending his yard and walking on his treadmill. He loved reading – mainly books on American history and the Wall Street Journal. He had opinions on football and which of Arby’s sandwiches was the best (definitely the Beef ‘n Cheddar), among other topics. He and Pat took many memorable trips, among them to the low countries of Europe and to Charleston and Savannah.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Margaret (Peg) Banville, and his sister, Barbara Silver, whom he dubbed Boo-Boo.

In addition to his wife, he’s survived by his sons, John Banville and Judy of Loudonville, N.Y.; Lee Banville and Jule of Missoula, Mt.; Matthew Banville of Richmond, Va.; and Patrick Banville of Sanford; three grandchildren, Kate and Maggie Banville of Missoula and Klasen Banville of Richmond; and five nieces.

No memorial services are planned at this time. If so moved, donations may be made in his name to hospice organizations of your choice.