Cedric J. Bannister, 93, of Davis St. passed away Thursday May 30, 2024 at Baystate Franklin Medical Center. Cedric was born in Dublin, Ireland January 21, 1931 the son of Corneilus and Ada (McPhail) Bannister.

Cedric took pride in his education in Ireland. He earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland and became a precious metal apprentice soon after.

Cedric sought adventure via a boat called the “Olympia” across the Atlantic Ocean where he landed in Nova Scotia, Canada. He wanted to design toys and was hired by a toy company in Toronto, Canada where he crested F-16s. While in Canada, he became “Uncle Ced” to the Cheeseman family, as his love for children followed him across the pond.

Cedric was head-hunted by the design team at Oneida Silver in Oneida, NY and was coerced to move to America. In nearby Sherrill, NY, he met the love of his life, Jeri (Geraldine) who was a music teacher in the local elementary school. They would be married on a very snowy December 16, 1969, famous composer- Beethoven’s birthday.

The couple moved to Meriden, CT where Cedric worked for International Silver. His older daughter, Tara, was born at Yale New Haven Hospital on March 29, 1971. The trio moved to Turners Falls in 1972 as Cedric was offered a job from Lunt Silversmith in Greenfield, MA. They soon added to their family with another daughter, Colleen in 1974. Cedric worked as a designer, engraver, and product manager for 25 years at Lunt’s. He was proudly responsible for the very popular Lunt Spoon Bracelets, Baby Spoons, and Christmas Ornaments.

An enormously talented musician, Cedric sang in the St James and Andrew Choir and played trumpet in the Pioneer Valley Symphony and the Dana Vespers, where he and his wife played alongside each other in the Pioneer Valley Brass Quintet. Although he was losing his hearing, he was still demonstrating his perfect pitch noting purity of sound and clarity of melodies and harmonies.

Along with being involved in the Choir at church, Ced was frequently on the Church Vestry, Planning Committees and Selection Committee for Clergy.

He was an avid reader of non-fiction literature and would often share his love of history by knowing the answer to every question ever asked of him. He could tell stories that capture one’s attention and share his sense of humor that left you laughing for days. He loved Christmas time with the music, decorations, and by playing Santa Clause to the neighborhood children. He often had 3 Christmas trees in the house. Ced jumped on the Boston Red Sox bandwagon in 1986 and he’s probably in heaven complaining that the team needs to “swing their bats!”

Survivors include his daughter, Colleen (and her partner, Sarah) of Greenfield and his daughter Tara’s dog, Moonshine; his many nieces and nephews in Ireland and Wales (Killian, Orla, Siobhán, Donal, Nigel, Yvette, and Monique); his many brothers and sisters in law in NY (Nancy, David, Betty, Jim, Gary); and many nieces, nephews, and people who called him “Uncle Ced.” He was predeceased by his wife, Geraldine, in June 2021 and his daughter, Tara, in December 2021, his brothers Eric and George in Dublin, Ireland.

A Memorial Service will be held later this summer so that family in Canada and Ireland/Wales may attend. It will be held at the Churches of St James and Andrews on Church Street in Greenfield, MA.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Churches of St James and Andrew, 8 Church St., Greenfield, MA 01301.

Arrangements are under the direction of Kostanski Funeral Home. For condolences, please visit www.kostanskifuneralhome.com