Gregory Banks

GREGORY(Grego/Greg) BROOKLYN BANKS was born in Phoenix, Illinois on June 26, 1956, the sixth child of eight children born to the union of Mattie Deborah Jones and Grantlin Brooklyn Banks. Grego began his formal education in 1962 at Coolidge Elementary School in Phoenix, Il and graduated from Thornridge High School in Dalton, IL in June of 1974. After high school, Grego worked at Bliss & Laughlin Steel Company for a short period before deciding to attend the University of Wisconsin at LaCrosse in August of 1975 where he obtained a Bachelors of Science degree in Political Science with a Pre-law emphasis and a Public Administration minor. Grego described his decision to attend college as the experience that allowed him to "grow most as a person". While at UW LaCrosse he held numerous positions in student government and became a member of Phi Beta Sigma Faternity. Grego later attended graduate school at The Robert M. La Follette Institute of Public Affairs in Madison, WI where he pursued a Masters degree in Public Administration.

In the fall of 1975, Gregory met Gennette Greene from Bolton, NC at UW La Crosse where she was attending graduate school. On April 4, 1980, Gregory married Gennette and embarked on a journey that would last the rest of his life. Grego and Gennette were blessed with three beautiful children. Greg placed an exceptional amount of importance on education and the happiness and well being of his family. If he wasn't laughing and cracking jokes with his children, or helping them with their homework he was dancing with his wife and planning the next family adventure. Greg's sense of humor, intelligence and easy nature not only endeared him to his family but gave everyone who came across his path a sense of joy and comfort.

After he graduated from UW La Crosse Greg began his professional career in public administration with the Social Security Administration (SSA) in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He also worked in the Eau Claire and Madison Wisconsin district offices. After leaving SSA Greg worked briefly as a policy research analyst at the University of Wisconsin Madison Center for Health Systems Research and Analyses. Greg ended his career as an administrator for the Madison Metropolitan School District when he was diagnosed with
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) On December 23, 1996. Although Greg's professional career ended due to illness, he remained a devoted public servant by continuing to serve on boards such as the Mayor's Commission on People with Disabilities and Madison's Affirmative Action Commission until his life ended at his home on September 30, 2011 where he was surrounded by his immediate family.

He leaves to cherish his memories his devoted wife, Gennette Greene Banks, three children: Lenika Cheri, Gregory Brooklyn II (McKenzie), and Gennifer Elaine Adrian Banks; two granddaughters: Brooklynn Cheri Reives and Jasmia-Gennette Banks; a close nephew, Anthony, four sisters: Vernita (Will Webster), Linda, Jacquelyn and Harriet; two brothers: Grantlin, Jr.(twin) and Gilford; his maternal aunt Lillian Latham, a Mother-in-law, Edith Greene; four sisters-in-law: Doris, Mae, Elouise and Jean; three brothers-in-law: Robert, Franklin, and Michael, his caregivers, Margot and Loretta, longtime devoted friends Arthur Fuqua and Robert Monahan, and a host of nephews, nieces cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father� Grantlin Brooklyn Banks, and his mother, Mattie Deborah Banks-Bratcher.

A visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 6, 2011 at MT. ZION BAPTIST CHURCH, 2019 Fisher Street, Madison. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, October 7, 2011 at MT. ZION BAPTIST CHURCH, with a visitation from 12:00 noon until the time of service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated to The ALS Association, Development Department, 27001 Agoura Road, Suite 250, Calabasas Hills, CA 91301.