Amherst, Kevin W. Banks, 55, died Wednesday, March 18, 2015 at the Hospice of the Fisher Home in Amherst, following a 14 month courageous battle with brain cancer.

He was born July 8, 1959 and attended local schools and graduated from Amherst Regional High School. He also attended the University of Massachusetts and Westfield State College. He graduated from the Massachusetts Criminal Justice Training Center in Agawam. For the past 28 years he was a Correctional Officer at the Hampshire County Jail and House of Correction. He was regarded as an exceptional officer by his peers.

“Banksy,” as he was known to his friends, enjoyed all sporting events, especially the Boston Bruins, Red Sox, Patriots, Notre Dame and Umass football and Umass Hockey.

He was a 40 pint blood donor to the Red Cross and member of the Hampshire County Sheriff’s Association.

He leaves his parents, Timothy {Ted} and Joan Banks of Amherst, a brother, Daniel, of Amherst, his sister, Teresa, of Canaan, NH, a step-sister, Sharon Chapman, of Boise, Idaho, two nephews, Corey and Kirk Chapman, and his beloved cat, Dizzy.

He was predeceased by his brother, Timothy H. Banks, Jr. in 2011 and his step-brother, Paul, in 1986.

He also leaves aunts, an uncle, cousins and countless wonderful friends.

He was a thoughtful and caring person and devoted to his family and friends.

Funeral services will be Tuesday March 24, 2015 9:00 AM from the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00Am at St. Brigid’s Church, Amherst. Burial will follow at St. Brigid’s Cemetery, Hadley. Calling hours will be Monday March 23, from 5:00 – 8:00 PM at the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice of the Fisher Home, 1165 N. Pleasant St. Amherst, MA 01002 or Dakin Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 6307, Springfield, MA 01101.

The family extends their gratitude to the Hospice of the Fisher Home, for their wonderful love and care provided to Kevin by the staff over the past four months.

Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.